Stories for April 2009

Tuesday, April 7th 2009 - 11:34 UTC
Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Ecuador sign defence accord

Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and Ecuador signed Monday in Asuncion an agreement for cooperation in security matters which not only involves “associating” for the procurement of equipment, but defence of sovereignty and territorial integrity and preannouncement of military exercises.
Tuesday, April 7th 2009 - 09:31 UTC
Alfonsin magic touch could help resurgence of Argentine opposition

A majority of Argentine feels that the recent death of former president Raul Alfonsin which sparked such spontaneous support for the values enshrined by the “father of democracy” could contribute to the resurgence of the country’s main opposition party to which he belonged, according to the latest public opinion poll published in the Buenos Aires press.
Tuesday, April 7th 2009 - 09:28 UTC
Insecurity helping to push farmland prices in Paraguay down

The prize of farmland in Paraguay has fallen significantly because of insecurity and the slide in international prices for oil seeds, mainly soybeans, according to a report from the head of the Agronomy Department at the University of Asunción, Ricardo Garay.
Tuesday, April 7th 2009 - 09:23 UTC
UK car sales in March plunge 30%; calls for scrappage plan

UK car sales fell by 30.5% in March, compared with the same month last year, the latest industry figures have shown. The number of new UK registrations in March was 313.912, down from 451.642 the year before, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Tuesday, April 7th 2009 - 09:21 UTC
Economic forecasts indicate Brazil heading for recession

Brazil’s economy could shrink for the first time in 17 years in 2009 as the global recession prompts companies to cut output and staffing according to a Central Bank survey of 100 economists and released Monday.
Tuesday, April 7th 2009 - 07:20 UTC
Argentine wheat farmers warn crop could fall below domestic demand

Argentina farmland dedicated to wheat is forecasted to fall to a minimum, with a crop barely sufficient for the domestic market and no surplus to export to its main market Brazil, according to Santiago Cameron president of the country’s Wheat farmers association.
Tuesday, April 7th 2009 - 07:06 UTC
Another stimulus shot for Japan: this time 100 billion US dollars

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso announced a fresh spending plan of 100 billion US dollars to rescue the world's second-biggest economy from its deepest recession since the Second World War. The figure amounts to more than 2% of Japan's GDP, Finance Minister Kaoru Yosano told reporters Monday after meeting with Aso.
Tuesday, April 7th 2009 - 07:00 UTC
Ford slashes debt and dashes ahead in US auto industry restructure

Ford Motor Co said on Monday it has slashed automotive debt by 38%, 9.9 billion US dollars, bolstering its finances amid a deep auto industry downturn. Markets reacted with Ford shares up over 15%.
Tuesday, April 7th 2009 - 06:58 UTC
Controversial expenses anticipate “big changes” for British MPs

British Members of Parliament have been warned they face “big changes” in their system of pay and expenses as Housing Minister Margaret Beckett became the latest member of the Government to become embroiled in controversy.
Tuesday, April 7th 2009 - 05:20 UTC
“US is not at war with Islam” Obama tells Turkish parliament

During his first visit to a Muslim nation United States president Barack Obama said the US ”is not and will never be at war with Islam''. In an address to the Turkish parliament in Ankara on Monday, he called for a greater partnership with the Muslim world.