Stories for April 2009

Friday, April 17th 2009 - 07:34 UTC
Unasur charter triggers controversy in Uruguayan Congress

The Uruguayan Senate, with the votes from the ruling coalition, approved Wednesday the founding charter of the Union of South American Nations, UNASUR, while the opposition rejected in block the initiative describing it as an “ideological integration”.
Friday, April 17th 2009 - 07:30 UTC
US second largest shopping mall owner files for bankruptcy protection

General Growth Properties, United States second-largest shopping mall owner filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Thursday after failing to reach an out of court consensus on how to restructure its 27 billion US dollars debt. The Chicago based corporation which owns more than 200 malls in 44 states said shoppers at its malls will not be affected by its bankruptcy filing.
Friday, April 17th 2009 - 07:25 UTC
French fishermen suspend blockade of English Channel ports

French fishermen suspended their blockade at three English Channel ports Thursday, allowing ferry traffic and freight to move through after two days of disruption, union leaders said.
Friday, April 17th 2009 - 05:33 UTC
Chavez rejects Americas’ summit declaration which ignores Cuba

President Hugo Chavez said on Thursday Venezuela ''will veto'' the declaration which is being drafted and due to be issued by this weekend's Summit of the Americas at Trinidad Tobago.
Friday, April 17th 2009 - 05:30 UTC
Chile rocked by labour protests demanding job protection

Chilean police used tear gas and water cannons to break up a labor demonstration in downtown Santiago, part of a nationwide strike of workers demanding job protection amid a wave of layoffs as the global crisis reaches the country.
Friday, April 17th 2009 - 05:18 UTC
Paraguayan president “honest leader” image suffers a whacking

The “honest leader” image of Paraguayan president Fernando Lugo, who last Monday admitted fathering a child while still a Catholic bishop, plummeted 16% according to the latest public opinion poll released this week.
Thursday, April 16th 2009 - 12:08 UTC
Brazil slashes primary budget surplus to stimulate economy

Brazil's government cut its 2009 primary budget surplus target to 2.5% of GDP from 3.8% and set a target of 3.3% of GDP for the next three years, Finance Minister Guido Mantega said on Wednesday speaking at a Congressional hearing.
Thursday, April 16th 2009 - 12:01 UTC
Colombia captures “Don Mario, most wanted drug lord

Colombia announced Wednesday the capture of the man listed as the country's most wanted drug lord, Daniel Rendon. The government had offered a reward of up to 2 million US dollars for the capture of Rendon, an alleged paramilitary drug trafficker also known as “Don Mario.”
Thursday, April 16th 2009 - 12:00 UTC
Fishing quotas dispute forces cancelling of Dover/Calais ferries

Ferry operator P&O has cancelled all Dover to Calais crossings due to a blockade by French fishing boats. The blockade at the port of Calais is also causing motorway disruption in Kent, police have said.
Thursday, April 16th 2009 - 11:54 UTC
Chavez names “chief of government” and takes control of Caracas

Venezuelan legislators loyal to President Hugo Chavez approved this week a new law that further erodes the authority of Caracas' opposition mayor by subordinating him to a government-appointed official.