Stories for March 2009

Friday, March 6th 2009 - 10:35 UTC
Lula da Silva offers to talk about Venezuela with Obama

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said he has authorized Brazil's leader to raise the subject of Venezuela in talks with President Barack Obama this month. Despite the change of government, Washington/Caracas relations remain strained.
Friday, March 6th 2009 - 10:34 UTC
World Bank 1.3 bn. loan to Brazil for green management

The World Bank approved a 1.3 billion US dollars loan to Brazil for the First Programmatic Development Policy Loan for Sustainable Environmental Management, supporting Brazil’s ongoing efforts to improve its environmental management system.
Friday, March 6th 2009 - 10:31 UTC
Obama’s EU visit includes London, Strasbourg and Prague

United States President Obama will travel to Europe on March 31st for a six-day trip that will take him to Britain, France, Germany and the Czech Republic, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced Thursday.
Friday, March 6th 2009 - 10:30 UTC
Gibraltar: Spain praises Princess Anne “low profile” visit

A leading Spanish Senator welcomed Gibraltar’s Chief Minister’s decision not to greet the Princess Royal at the runway when she arrived on an official visit to the Rock
Friday, March 6th 2009 - 09:05 UTC
Venezuela will seek amicable accord with nationalized Cargill

Venezuela does not plan to take over additional assets of US food giant Cargill after announcing the seizure of its rice unit said the Agriculture minister Elias Jaua on Thursday.
Friday, March 6th 2009 - 09:03 UTC
China’s “most difficult year” sends shivers to Mercosur

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has said the current year will be the most difficult the country has faced this century because of the global economic crisis. Addressing parliament this week, Mr Wen reiterated that there would be a 585 billion US dollars investment program to stimulate the Chinese economy.
Friday, March 6th 2009 - 09:01 UTC
UK cuts rates to 0.5% and unveils plan “to ease” £ 150 billion

The Bank of England slashed Thursday rates to 0.5% and unveiled plans to pump up to £150 billion into the economy in its boldest bid yet to tackle the recession. Official borrowing costs have now fallen for six months in a row but the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee believes rate cuts alone will not be enough.
Friday, March 6th 2009 - 09:00 UTC
Trichet promises “non standard measures” to prop Euro economy

The European Central Bank (ECB) has cut its key interest rate to 1.5% from 2.0%, the lowest since it started setting euro rates in January 1999. It followed a cut in UK rates by the Bank of England. US and Japanese rates are, in effect, already at zero.
Friday, March 6th 2009 - 08:58 UTC
Brazil Argentina trade clash; dispute could reach WTO

Brazil’s Foreign Trade Secretary Welber Barral admitted publicly that Brasilia is considering taking its trade dispute claims with Argentina to the World Trade Organization. Insistent leaks to the press from “reliable sources” anticipated for days the growing trade rift between Mercosur two main partners.
Friday, March 6th 2009 - 05:20 UTC
Argentine remains to be buried in Falkland Islands

Full military honours will given to the burial of Argentine remains in the Falklands on Saturday.