Stories for June 2009

Thursday, June 18th 2009 - 14:59 UTC
UN Assembly president, strong defender of Argentina in Malvinas question

The president of the United Nations General Assembly is “well informed” on the Malvinas Islands issue and is a “strong defender of Argentine rights (over the Falkland Islands) and very much personally interested in all the claim process which Argentina has been intensifying”, said Argentine Foreign Secretary Jorge Taiana in New York.
Thursday, June 18th 2009 - 14:54 UTC
Brazil invests 7.6 billion USD in family farming

The Brazilian government confirmed Wednesday that the fund to promote home farming and gardening will have at its disposal 7.6 billion US dollars. This represents a 525% increase since the administration of President Lula da Silva took office in 2003.
Thursday, June 18th 2009 - 14:50 UTC
US unveils major banking shake-up since the 1930s

The US government has announced a major reform of banking regulation to prevent future financial crises. The overhaul will require big banks to put more money aside against future losses to curb excessive risk taking.
Thursday, June 18th 2009 - 14:44 UTC
Peru moves to reconcile with protesting indigenous peoples

Peru's government is moving toward reconciliation with the indigenous peoples after two months of rioting and protest that left over fifty people dead. The government of President Alan García wants to delay the implementation of two plans to open parts of the Peruvian Amazon to foreign investment.
Thursday, June 18th 2009 - 14:43 UTC
Chile reports third death of influenza and declares “sanitary emergency”

Chile officially declared state of sanitary emergency as the A/H1N1 influenza cases raised again in the last hours, with 3125 confirmed, three deaths and many blood samples still undergoing laboratory expertise.
Thursday, June 18th 2009 - 14:32 UTC
Lan Cargo and GE sign 12-year maintenance program for turbines

Chile’s Lan Cargo signed a twelve year agreement with the Aviation Department of General Electric for the maintenance, upkeep and repair of the GE90-110B engines of its fleet of four Boeings 777. The operation involves 135 million US dollars.
Thursday, June 18th 2009 - 14:29 UTC
UK minister quits for allegedly avoiding to pay capital gains tax

A British minister has quit the Government after allegations that she avoided paying up to £17,000 in capital gains tax by “flipping” her second home. Kitty Ussher said she had not done anything wrong, but was quitting as Exchequer Secretary to avoid causing “embarrassment” to Gordon Brown.
Thursday, June 18th 2009 - 14:18 UTC
UK pressing Spain and EU on Gibraltar waters incident

Britain is pressing Spain and the European Commission to resolve the dispute over designation of British Gibraltar Territorial Waters and will continue to do so until a solution is found, reports the Gibraltar Chronicle
Thursday, June 18th 2009 - 14:13 UTC
Jon Benjamin, next UK ambassador in Chile

Jon Benjamin has been appointed British Ambassador to Chile in succession to Mr Howard Drake OBE who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.
Thursday, June 18th 2009 - 14:10 UTC
HMS Manchester sailors “dump” McDonald statue in Valparaiso harbour

Two Royal Navy sailors from HMS Manchester have appeared in court in Chile for stealing a life-size statue from a McDonald's restaurant.