Stories for April 2009

Friday, April 10th 2009 - 10:56 UTC
Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News Update

Headlines: Drug importers sent to prison; Chief of Police to be formally reprimanded; Illex slow to reach FI zones.
Friday, April 10th 2009 - 10:32 UTC
US February trade deficit smallest since November 1999

The US trade deficit has narrowed to a new-year low in February, the seventh month in a row it has shrunk. The difference between what the US exports and imports, narrowed by 28% to 26.3 billion from January's revised 36.2 billion, becoming the smallest gap since November 1999.
Friday, April 10th 2009 - 09:36 UTC
Ten cruise vessels, yachts and RN vessels visit South Georgia

Ten cruise ships visited South Georgia Island in March, the last month of the main tourist season. According to SGIsland News Alert these included the unusual and beautiful 38-passenger sailing ship “Bark Europa” and one ship had a expedition group aboard who successfully completed the Shackleton Crossing from King Haakon Bay to Stromness.
Friday, April 10th 2009 - 08:59 UTC
Japan announces third stimulus plan …and more if needed

Japan announced Thursday a record 150 billion US dollars stimulus package as it seeks to revive its flagging economy. Prime Minister Taro Aso announced the package, worth about 3% of its gross domestic product, in Tokyo after the ruling party approved the measures.
Friday, April 10th 2009 - 07:14 UTC
World Economic Forum on Latin America to be held in Rio do Janeiro

More than 500 political, social and economic leaders from 37 countries will meet next week in Rio for the World Economic Forum on Latin America, the organizers announced on Wednesday.
Friday, April 10th 2009 - 06:11 UTC
UK top cop quits over security blunder; G-20 policeman suspended

Britain's top counter-terrorism officer has resigned after his security blunder threatened a major anti-terror operation. London Mayor Boris Johnson said he had accepted Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick's resignation with “great reluctance and sadness”.
Friday, April 10th 2009 - 05:58 UTC
Bank of England leaves rates unchanged, opts for money injection

The Bank of England kept interest rates on hold at 0.5%, in a widely expected move following a number of rate cuts in recent months. Rates remain at an all-time low after six cuts since October last year, when interest rates stood at 5%.
Friday, April 10th 2009 - 05:57 UTC
Spanish Easter shoppers double Gibraltar population

Gibraltar’s population was practically doubled as an avalanche of Spanish shoppers poured in through the frontier gates on Tuesday to take advantage of the price bargains resulting from the strength of the Euro in relation to Sterling, reports the Chronicle
Friday, April 10th 2009 - 05:49 UTC
Brazil offers a billion USD in projects to compensate for Itaipu energy

The Brazilian government is planning to offer a financing package worth one billion US dollars for industrial projects in Paraguay, local financial newspaper Valor Economico reported this week. According to the newspaper, which cited unnamed sources, the financing will be offered through Brazil's National Development Bank, or BNDES.
Friday, April 10th 2009 - 05:30 UTC
Easter present for Paraguayan president: a paternity suit

Paraguay’s Christina Democrat party reiterated “full confidence” in President Fernando Lugo who faces a paternity suit alleging that a son was born to the former Roman Catholic bishop five months after he abandoned the church for politics.