Stories for May 2009

Monday, May 4th 2009 - 09:14 UTC
Ahead of tough week British ministers rally behind PM Gordon Brown

British senior ministers have insisted Gordon Brown is the best man to lead the Labour Party, after criticism of the government from inside the cabinet. Both Health Secretary Alan Johnson and Justice Secretary Jack Straw defended the prime minister's leadership, at the end of a tough week for the government.
Monday, May 4th 2009 - 08:56 UTC
Flu outbreak becomes excuse for trade and tourism restrictions

Three countries worst hit by the global swine flu outbreak have urged economic partners not to allow it to affect international trade. Agricultural ministers from Canada, Mexico and the US said the outbreak should not be used as a reason for unnecessary trade restrictions.
Monday, May 4th 2009 - 08:37 UTC
China becomes main destination of Brazilian exports ahead of US

China has become the main purchaser of Brazilian exports during the first quarter of this year displacing United States which held the position undisputed for decades, according to reports in the Sao Paulo press based on the latest statistics.
Monday, May 4th 2009 - 08:33 UTC
Former US president Jimmy Carter honoured in Sao Paulo

Former US president and Nobel Peace Prize Jimmy Carter was honoured Sunday by the governor of Brazil’s powerhouse state Sao Paulo for his contributions to the development of the state.
Monday, May 4th 2009 - 07:58 UTC
Unemployment in Magallanes region soars in first quarter

Unemployment in the extreme south Chilean region of Magallanes more than doubled during this year’s first quarter having reached 5.6% compared to the same period a year ago according to the latest official Statistics Office release.
Monday, May 4th 2009 - 07:55 UTC
Six companies present offers for potential natural gas deposits in Uruguay

Six foreign companies have presented offers to explore a natural gas deposit off Uruguay's Atlantic coast, announced Uruguay’s government owned oil company Ancap, Administración Nacional de Combustibles, Alcohol y Portland
Monday, May 4th 2009 - 07:45 UTC
Iranian president visits South America; US calls it “disturbing”

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad begins this week a tour of South America visiting three countries, Brazil, Ecuador and Venezuela, reported Iranian Foreign Affairs minister Manouchehr Mottaki.
Sunday, May 3rd 2009 - 12:18 UTC
Private labs increase production of Tamiflu and Relenza

The World Health Organization has asked Roche Holding AG to deploy its so-called rapid response stockpiles of antiviral drug Tamiflu, the Swiss drug-maker said on Saturday.
Sunday, May 3rd 2009 - 12:13 UTC
Spread of flu is slowing down in Mexico reports WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the H1N1 flu virus continues to spread around the world, with the number of confirmed cases reaching 615, in 17 countries. WHO officials say they expect to raise their alert to the highest level but experts say the spread of the flu is slowing down in Mexico, where the outbreak started.
Sunday, May 3rd 2009 - 12:10 UTC
US bank failures in four months reach 32 compared to 25 in 2008

Three more United States banks shut their doors Friday, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, bringing the total number of failures up to 32 in 2009. The first failure was a wholesale banking operator in Georgia that served 1,400 other lenders across the US, became the fifth biggest bank failure in terms of assets.