Stories for May 2009

Tuesday, May 5th 2009 - 11:08 UTC
Mexico announces reopening of schools, gradually returns to normality

Mexican officials lowered the influenza A (H1N1) virus alert level in the capital on Monday and said they will allow universities, cafes, museums and libraries to reopen this week, even as the number of confirmed cases topped 1,200 worldwide.
Tuesday, May 5th 2009 - 10:58 UTC
Spain complains about Gibraltar flag during G20 summit negotiations

Spain made a formal complaint to the United Kingdom and the United States over the manner in which the tax information agreement was signed on March 31 between Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Peter Caruana and United States Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner in London ahead of the G20 Leaders Summit.
Tuesday, May 5th 2009 - 10:51 UTC
EU “no longer in freefall” but 2010 modest recovery is still distant

The European Union is forecasted to contract 4% in 2009, which is double what was announced at the beginning of the year. Average unemployment is set to rise to 9.4% this year and could reach 10.9% in 2010, while government deficits inside the 27-member union will average 6% of GDP, twice the figure allowed for Euro area countries and used as a marker for the rest of the union.
Tuesday, May 5th 2009 - 10:49 UTC
Panamanian president elect compared to Italy’s Silvio Berlusconi

Panama president-elect and supermarket tycoon Ricardo Martinelli, 57, of Italian origin has been compared to the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi by Panamanian media and political analysts.
Tuesday, May 5th 2009 - 08:24 UTC
London city, Europe’s dirtiest but also has the best nightlife

London has been named the dirtiest city in Europe for the second year running, in a new poll. It was also seen as the most expensive city on the continent and as having the most tourist traps and the worst-dressed locals, according to the latest TripAdvisor.
Tuesday, May 5th 2009 - 08:12 UTC
Obama wants to end tax loopholes for US corporations overseas

President Barack Obama has proposed outlawing offshore tax-avoidance techniques in a move that could hit US corporations with overseas divisions. His proposals would axe some tax deductions for firms that earn profits in countries with low tax rates.
Tuesday, May 5th 2009 - 08:10 UTC
Head of British Army on three day official visit to Chile

British Armed Forces Chief of the General Staff General Sir Richard Dannatt begun on Monday an official three-day visit to Chile invited by the Chilean Army.
Tuesday, May 5th 2009 - 08:00 UTC
Iranian president postpones visit to South American countries

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad cancelled on Monday a trip to Brazil this week without explanation amid criticism in Teheran from the country’s clerical leader and US concern about Iran’s growing influence in Latin America.
Monday, May 4th 2009 - 11:03 UTC
Conservative businessman elected president in Panama

Panamanian opposition leader and supermarket mogul Ricardo Martinelli has won Panama's presidential election, the head of the country's electoral tribunal said Sunday. Martinelli, of the conservative Democratic Change party, edged out former Housing Minister Balbina Herrera of Panama's ruling Democratic Revolutionary Party, said Erasmo Pinilla of the electoral tribunal.
Monday, May 4th 2009 - 09:19 UTC
Argentina’s 2008/09 crop exports forecasted to drop 56%

Argentina’s cereals and oil seeds exports are forecasted to drop to 13.8 billion US dollars in this 2008/09 crop which means 56% less compared to the 31.9 billion of the 2007/08 crop according to a paper from the Argentine Agrarian Federation, FAA.