Stories for April 2009

Wednesday, April 15th 2009 - 05:08 UTC
Germany bans GM maize; “scientific and not political” decision

Germany is to ban the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) maize - the only GM crop widely grown in Europe. The decision, announced on Tuesday by German Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner, is a blow to the US biotech firm Monsanto, which markets the maize.
Wednesday, April 15th 2009 - 05:05 UTC
“Aurora” round-the-world cruise ends short and with compensation demand

The stricken cruise ship Aurora has arrived back in Britain amid the threat of legal action from passengers, reports The Daily Telegraph. Engine trouble forced the ship to miss out three ports in New Zealand and two in the Pacific Islands on the £16,000 per passenger round-the-world trip.
Tuesday, April 14th 2009 - 14:02 UTC
Lula da Silva says Obama must not be embarrassed on the Cuban issue

Brazilian president Lula da Silva anticipated he will address the Cuban issue in the coming Americas Summit next Friday in Trinidad Tobago, but Brazilian diplomacy is also working to ensure it does not become an irritating discussion, according to Sao Paulo press.
Tuesday, April 14th 2009 - 13:33 UTC
Japanese whaling fleet limps back home with lower catch

Japan’s Fisheries Agency said on Monday ships from the country’s whaling fleet returned to port from the Antarctic Ocean with a lower catch than planned after being harassed by anti-whaling campaigners. The agency also indicated that several ships report some damage from clashes with the conservationists.
Tuesday, April 14th 2009 - 13:19 UTC
China optimistic about recovery but ready to “spend more”

China's economy is showing some signs of recovery from the global financial crisis, the country's Prime Minister Wen Jiabao has said. The economy is showing “positive changes” but still faces “very big difficulties”, he said on the sidelines of Thailand's cancelled Asean summit.
Tuesday, April 14th 2009 - 11:51 UTC
Argentina’s 2008/09 soy bean crop 16% below last year

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) downgraded significantly Argentina’s 2008/09 soy bean crop estimates. Only a month ago the volume forecasted was 43 million tons, but the latest was brought down to 39 million tons.
Tuesday, April 14th 2009 - 11:48 UTC
Obama’s Cuba policy triggers strong hopes from cruise operators

Shares of Miami-based cruise operator Royal Caribbean jumped on Monday on news that the administration of President Barack Obama was allowing Cuban Americans to travel more freely to the Castro-family ruled island.
Tuesday, April 14th 2009 - 11:46 UTC
Brazilian economists forecast worst recession since 1992

Brazilian economists forecast that Latinamerica’s biggest economy will fall into the worst recession since 1992 as companies scale back output amid the first global recession since World War II.
Tuesday, April 14th 2009 - 11:44 UTC
Royal Navy capability demonstration in the Falklands

The South Atlantic Royal Navy patrol HMS Manchester conducted a maritime capability demonstration of her task unit’s diverse capabilities last Monday in the Falkland Islands.
Tuesday, April 14th 2009 - 02:11 UTC
Obama loosens restriction on travel and remittances to Cuba

President Barack Obama has decided to loosen restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba for Cuban-Americans, senior US administration officials said Monday. A formal announcement was expected later in the day, reports CNN.