Stories for April 21st 2009

Tuesday, April 21st 2009 - 16:25 UTC
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II turns 83

The monarch will be spending the day privately at Windsor Castle with the Duke of Edinburgh.
Tuesday, April 21st 2009 - 13:02 UTC
BHP Billiton reactivates mining projects in Chile

The Chilean subsidiary of Australian mining giant BHP Billiton plans to reactivate projects worth 6.75 billion US dollars that were frozen last year amid the global recession.
Tuesday, April 21st 2009 - 12:58 UTC
Creditor Brazil fights for bigger say in the IMF

Brazil is expected to push very hard to have more say in the International Monetary Fund, reflecting the importance of emerging countries. To support that greater influence Brazil has pledged to advance up to 4.5 billion US dollars to the multilateral organization.
Tuesday, April 21st 2009 - 10:38 UTC
Colombia requests 10.4 billion from IMF flexible credit line

Colombia became the third country to seek access to a new IMF credit line for strong performing countries, requesting 10.4 billion US dollars to bolster its economy in the face of the global recession.
Tuesday, April 21st 2009 - 10:30 UTC
Obama eager to finalize trade agreements with Panama and Colombia

United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk said private meetings with Panama and Colombia presidents during the recent Summit of the Americas in Trinidad Tobago had been “very productive” and reiterated that the Obama administration is eager in finalizing free trade agreements with both countries.
Tuesday, April 21st 2009 - 09:00 UTC
Uruguay expects slower growth, higher budget deficit

Uruguay’s Economy minister Alvaro García downgraded the country’s growth prospects for this year while doubling the budget deficit estimate from 1% to 2% of GDP. He made the announcements following Monday’s cabinet meeting when he admitted the Uruguayan economy will expand 2% in 2009, --down from 3%-- with a first negative quarter.
Tuesday, April 21st 2009 - 08:47 UTC
Mercosur Parliament looking for more exposure meets in Paraguay

The Mercosur Parliament is scheduled to meet next week in Asunción, Paraguay, in an attempt to awaken public opinion interest in the legislative body. Members from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and eventually Venezuela (in the process of incorporation) will meet at the Paraguayan Congress building.
Tuesday, April 21st 2009 - 08:45 UTC
Paraguay’s cattle numbers increase 38% in 17 years; exports six fold

Paraguay’s cattle rodeo increased 38.5% in the last 17 years according to the latest agriculture census. Even when the number of farms dropped 16.5% between 1991 and 2008, the number of head of cattle jumped from 7.626.617 to 10.561.894
Tuesday, April 21st 2009 - 08:38 UTC
Venezuela’s main opposition leader seeking asylum, ignores court order

Venezuela's main opposition leader is seeking asylum with a “friendly country” and will not appear in court to face corruption charges brought by President Hugo Chavez's government, opposition officials said on Monday.
Tuesday, April 21st 2009 - 08:32 UTC
Keep slim, help fight climate change, says Epidemiology Journal

Getting back to the relatively slim, trim days of the 1970s would help to tackle climate change, researchers say. The rising numbers of people who are overweight and obese in the UK means the nation uses 19% more food than 40 years ago, a study suggests.