Stories for April 2009

Friday, April 10th 2009 - 05:16 UTC
Bolivian president on hunger strike to force Congress

Bolivian President Evo Morales went on a hunger strike Thursday to demand Congress pass an electoral law which includes a firm date for December’s general election and other reforms which could make it easier for him to get re-elected and win control of Congress.
Thursday, April 9th 2009 - 21:20 UTC
EC to announce new strategy to revive fish farming industry

The European Commission is expected to unveil this week a new strategy to revive the fish farming industry. At a time when stocks of some species of fish in the world's oceans are dangerously low, the authorities in Brussels are concerned that Europe's aquaculture sector has stagnated.
Thursday, April 9th 2009 - 12:56 UTC
Argentina admits “very serious” dengue epidemics “which has come to stay”

“Dengue is here to stay” in the Southern Cone and although not controllable it can be prevented , admitted Argentina’s Health Minister Graciela Ocaña as the mosquito transmitted disease reached metropolitan Buenos Aires following thousands of cases in the impoverished north which the government tried to downplay.
Thursday, April 9th 2009 - 12:28 UTC
UK “considering approach” to Falklands’ continental shelf and May deadline

The United Kingdom has no doubts about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, or its right to make a submission to extend the continental shelf under the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea, but it is considering its approach in view of the May 2009 deadline.
Thursday, April 9th 2009 - 09:29 UTC
Opposition accuse PM Brown of “full retreat” in fiscal stimulus measures

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been accused of being in “full retreat” over his recession-fighting strategy amid signs that any further fiscal stimulus measures would be severely limited by worsening economic conditions.
Thursday, April 9th 2009 - 09:10 UTC
“Falkland Islanders unequivocally with to remain British”

Argentine next of kin have “unfettered” access to the Falkland Islands since 1999 and “only last week 60 of them and families visited the Islands” points out Sukey Cameron, Falklands’ government representative in London in a response to an article published in The Guardian which referred to the recent meeting between Prime Minister Gordon Brown and President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.
Thursday, April 9th 2009 - 08:48 UTC
Fidel Castro describes as “magnificent” meeting with US Congress members

Former Cuban President Fidel Castro has described as “magnificent” a recent meeting with three Democratic US lawmakers, and is urging Washington to take the initiative to improve ties with Havana.
Thursday, April 9th 2009 - 08:40 UTC
Chinese steel industry insists with 40% cut in iron ore prices

China's steel group insisted this week with a cut of at least 40% in annual term iron ore prices after a news report said Rio Tinto Ltd is offering a smaller discount before new annual contract negotiation ends, according to reports in the Chinese press. “Our request hasn't changed,” said Shan Shanghua, secretary general of the China Iron and Steel Association.
Thursday, April 9th 2009 - 08:36 UTC
Argentina looks again towards the IMF, says Buenos Aires press

Argentina could be at a turning point in its relation with the International Monetary Fund, IMF, particularly following the participation of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner in the London G20 summit, according to reports in the Buenos Aires press.
Thursday, April 9th 2009 - 08:22 UTC
Spanish cabinet reshuffle with new Finance minister

Spanish President Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero announced Tuesday several ministerial changes in response to current political circumstances and to strengthen the Government’s hand ahead of assuming the European Union presidency in 2010.