Stories for May 2009

Thursday, May 14th 2009 - 08:07 UTC
British MPs handing back money “milked” out of the system

British PM Gordon Brown backed the “extreme but necessary” measure last night as senior Labour figures started following in the footsteps of Tory frontbenchers by handing over money that they were seen to have “milked” out of the system.
Thursday, May 14th 2009 - 08:03 UTC
US triple-A credit rating at risk, if finances are not put in order

The United States is at risk of losing its triple-A credit rating unless it starts putting its finances in order, a former head of the agency in charge of fiscal accountability said in the Financial Times on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 14th 2009 - 07:56 UTC
Bank of England anticipates slow protracted recovery

The Bank of England says that the UK economic recovery is likely to be slow and protracted. The Bank has cut its growth forecast over the next two years and raised its estimate for inflation since February.
Thursday, May 14th 2009 - 07:55 UTC
Married Catholic Priests call on Vatican for “optional celibacy”

The Latinamerican Federation of Married Catholic Priests called on the Vatican to accept “optional celibacy” for members of the Church and acknowledge as something natural that clergy members can marry.
Thursday, May 14th 2009 - 07:44 UTC
British police accuse MPs of “Third World dictatorship” expenses

United Kingdom frontline police officers have accused Members of Parliament of enjoying expenses that would not look out of place in a “Third World dictatorship”. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith was hauled over the coals by members of the Police Federation of England and Wales.
Thursday, May 14th 2009 - 03:42 UTC
Shannon praises Valenzuela and lists agenda of pending issues

Thomas Shannon Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs who is to be replaced by Arturo Valenzuela said on Wednesday the incoming official will face “difficult challenges” in the management of relations with Latinamerica.
Thursday, May 14th 2009 - 03:33 UTC
Chilean president invited to the White House June 23

Chilean president Michelle Bachelet will be meeting with President Barak Obama at the White House next June 23, it was announced in Santiago. This will be the second meeting of the two leaders: the first was at the recent Summit of the Americas in Trinidad Tobago.
Wednesday, May 13th 2009 - 15:58 UTC
Continental shelf claim: Falklands replies to Argentina’s vehement reaction

The Falkland Islands Government Director of Mineral Resources today responded calmly to the Argentine Foreign Affairs vehement reaction to the UK submission in respect of its extended continental shelf claim around the Falkland Islands.
Wednesday, May 13th 2009 - 15:53 UTC
Argentina could have to import beef and wheat in 2010

Argentina, once the breadbasket of the world and land of some of the best cattle beef could be forced next year to import wheat and beef to meet domestic demand, according to government and private sector reports.
Wednesday, May 13th 2009 - 15:50 UTC
China’s exports down 22.6% in April, sixth month running

China's exports in April were down 22.6% from a year ago, the sixth successive month of decline. April's fall in exports was also bigger than the 17.1% annual decline recorded in March