Stories for May 2009

Wednesday, May 6th 2009 - 10:28 UTC
Martinelli’s victory in Panama has turned into a conservative landslide

Sunday’s conservative victory in Panama is turning into a landslide: the winning party Democratic Change, CD, headed by president elect Ricardo Martinelli will also hold a majority in Congress.
Wednesday, May 6th 2009 - 10:22 UTC
Brazil promises “fair and viable” solution for Itaipu differences with Paraguay

Brazilian president Lula da Silva and the ministerial cabinet will consider Wednesday a “fair and viable” solution to differences with Paraguay regarding the energy from the world’s largest operational hydroelectric dam, Itaipú, announced in Brasilia Foreign Affairs minister Celso Amorim.
Wednesday, May 6th 2009 - 10:20 UTC
Private consultants coincide Uruguay is experiencing mild recession

Uruguay will suffer a mild recession in 2009 which could extend until 2010, according to the latest report from private Consultants Oikos. Growth is forecasted to be in the range of 0.5% to 1% this year which is associated to at least two running quarters with falling economic activity.
Wednesday, May 6th 2009 - 04:36 UTC
Iran’s statements on Israel divide Uruguayan ruling coalition

Uruguay’ Foreign Affairs official rejection of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad latest statements regarding Israel and the Holocaust have caused “disappointment” in certain groups of the ruling coalition since they believe the government “caved in to lobbying from the local Israelite Committee”, reports the Montevideo press.
Wednesday, May 6th 2009 - 04:10 UTC
US Free trade agreement, top priority of Panama’s president-elect

Panama's president-elect Ricardo Martinelli has said finalising a free trade deal with the United States is a priority. Martinelli, a supermarket tycoon, beat the governing centre-left party's candidate by more than 20 points in Sunday's presidential election.
Wednesday, May 6th 2009 - 04:04 UTC
Canada prepared to challenge EU ban on seal products in WTO

Canada pledged on Tuesday it would launch a World Trade Organization challenge of the European Union's planned ban on seal products, unless the EU agrees to exempt humane and sustainable sealing.
Wednesday, May 6th 2009 - 03:46 UTC
Royal support for Gurkha’s rights to settle in Britain

A senior member of the British Royal Family has privately expressed support for Joanna Lumley's campaign for Gurkha settlement rights, the actress revealed. Ms Lumley told a committee of MPs she had received a letter of support from a royal but would not name them.
Wednesday, May 6th 2009 - 02:56 UTC
Mexico furious with countries restricting its imports alleging flu

Mexico says it has written to the World Trade Organization (WTO), demanding an explanation from countries which have restricted its imports over A/H1N1 flu.
Wednesday, May 6th 2009 - 02:53 UTC
Magallanes Region stocked for the event of a flu pandemic

Punta Arenas in the extreme south Magallanes Region of Chile has received several lots of seasonal flu vaccines which will be available in clinics and health centres as of tomorrow Wednesday announced local sanitary authorities.
Tuesday, May 5th 2009 - 11:10 UTC
Floating ice increasing risk for cruise vessels in Antarctica

New ice break-offs with dimensions that can’t be properly noticed on the sea surface could become a serious risk for Antarctic cruise vessels in the near future, --even when they are scientifically monitored--, according to Chilean glaciologist Ricardo Jaña from the Chilean Antarctic Institute.