Stories for May 2009

Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 06:00 UTC
Fire turns Antarctica hut favoured by Sir Hillary into a total loss

An isolated hut in Antarctica favoured by explorer Sir Edmund Hillary has burnt down after a fuel leak during a routine inspection at minus 35C. Antarctica New Zealand said the “iconic” A-frame timber and bitumen hut on the Ross Ice Shelf went up in flames during re-ignition of the heater. A spokesman said the hut, stationed on the ice since 1971, ”will be sadly missed
Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 05:56 UTC
British cabinet ministers involved in controversial expenses

British cabinet ministers including Chancellor Alistair Darling paid accountants thousands of pounds of public money to complete their personal tax returns, it has been reported.
Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 05:55 UTC
Saudis warn of another oil price spike within “two-to-three years”

The world could face within “two-to-three years” another oil price spike similar to that witnessed in 2008, Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said on Monday. Al-Naimi warned a meeting of Group of Eight ministers in Rome that the high-price scenario was likely unless investments in “new capacity expansion projects are made”.
Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 05:35 UTC
Chavez, Correa promise to protect their peoples from “unethical” media

Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez and Ecuador’s Rafael Correa announced they intend to create international bodies within the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) to protect both governments and peoples against the unethical behaviour of some news media.
Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 05:19 UTC
Chile has fastest growing immigrant population in South America

Chile's immigrant population has grown more than any other country in South America since 2000. Chile has fewer total immigrants than Argentina, Venezuela and Brazil, the proportional increase is greater. Immigration into Chile has increased in the past decade, while it has decreased in those other countries.
Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 04:59 UTC
Malvinas, magic word for Argentine children naming their schools

Malvinas and world famous cardio-surgeon René Favaloro were the most popular names voted by students, teachers and parents for 32 schools from the Province of Buenos Aires. The initiative is part of the coming commemoration of Argentina’s bicentennial on May 25th 2010.
Monday, May 25th 2009 - 17:55 UTC
Mercosur is a “body without soul” says Brazilian minister

Mercosur is currently a “body without soul” admitted Brazil’s Strategic Affairs minister Roberto Mangabeira Unger who called for a joint project to overcome “the huge asymmetries of power between Brazil and its neighbours”.
Monday, May 25th 2009 - 17:53 UTC
Tories declare Open Recruiting Day; 325 MPs could loose their seats

Britain’s opposition leader David Cameron has invited ordinary members of the public to stand as Tory MPs amid warnings that half the House of Commons will drummed out at the next election over the expenses scandal, according to the Sunday edition of the Daily Mail.
Monday, May 25th 2009 - 17:50 UTC
World Bank warns about unemployment and social upheaval

The head of the World Bank has warned that the global economic crisis could lead to serious social upheaval. “If we do no take measures, there is a risk of a serious human and social crisis with very serious political implications,” Robert Zoellick said.
Monday, May 25th 2009 - 17:44 UTC
Decline in freshwater fish took medieval Europe to the open seas

Medieval European fishermen first took to the open seas in about AD1.000 as a result of a sharp decline in large freshwater fish, scientists have suggested. They say the decline was probably the result of rising population and pollution levels.