Stories for October 2009

Friday, October 30th 2009 - 07:27 UTC
Lula da Silva relishes in Caracas approval of Venezuela’s Mercosur entry bid

Brazil's Senate foreign relations committee approved on Thursday in a divided vote Venezuela's request to join Mercosur despite concerns over President Hugo Chavez's authoritarian style of government. The vote comes when President Lula da Silva flies to Caracas to sign huge contracts for Brazilian corporations.
Friday, October 30th 2009 - 06:38 UTC
NYT praises Chile’s Bachelet handling of the crisis and her style of government

The New York Times dedicated an article to Chilean President Michelle Bachelet whom she describes as among a handful of Latin American leaders, including President Lula da Silva of Brazil, whose handling of the crisis has strengthened their popularity.
Friday, October 30th 2009 - 06:14 UTC
Argentina’s Air Force Antarctic Marambio base celebrates fortieth anniversary

The Argentine Air Force commemorated on Thursday October 29 the fortieth anniversary of Air Base Vice-Commodore Gustavo Marambio, Argentina’s main logistic support in Antarctica which has seen uninterrupted activity since then.
Friday, October 30th 2009 - 04:29 UTC
Uruguay’s Colorados recommend voting for conservative Lacalle

Uruguay’s junior opposition Colorado party has recommended its followers to support Conservative presidential candidate Luis Alberto Lacalle for the November 29th run-off with the ruling coalition’s Jose Mujica.
Friday, October 30th 2009 - 03:17 UTC
China offering to invest and create jobs in Taiwan friendly Paraguay

A delegation of Chinese private businessmen met this week with Paraguay’s president Fernando Lugo with the purpose of expressing their interest in investing in the country, more precisely in the manufacture of cellular phones, batteries and battery chargers.
Friday, October 30th 2009 - 03:14 UTC
China elaborating the “most complete” map of Antarctica

Chinese scientists are expected to conclude the most complete and precise map of Antarctica during their current expedition to the frozen continent. Although much of Antarctica has been chartered and collected in maps by different countries this latest edition to be finished at the end of this year has been described “as the most complete so far”, according to a report in the Global Times.
Friday, October 30th 2009 - 03:05 UTC
Argentina/Brazil clash over trade restrictions: what restrictions?

Brazilian Minister of Development Industry and Trade, Miguel Jorge confirmed Thursday that the Brazilian government is requesting non automatic licenses for some imports from Argentina, but denied it was a reprisal because of similar measures imposed by Argentina.
Friday, October 30th 2009 - 01:56 UTC
Higher infertility among men is a growing problem in Chile

A recent study carried out by the InstitutoValenciano de Infertilidad (IVI) has found a higher rate of infertility in Chilean men than in women. In a survey of 1,800 couples who reported having problems conceiving, infertility was recorded in 85% of males compared with 75% of females.
Friday, October 30th 2009 - 01:47 UTC
Zelaya still president for 46% of Hondurans according to poll

A relative majority of Hondurans consider ousted Manuel Zelaya as their president compared to the head of de facto government Roberto Micheletti, according to the latest public opinion poll from CID-Gallup released this week in Tegucigalpa.
Friday, October 30th 2009 - 00:46 UTC
Shell reports sharp fall in quarterly profit with outlook “very uncertain”

Anglo-Dutch oil giant Royal Dutch Shell reported Thursday its quarterly profit fell sharply, and warns the outlook remains “very uncertain”. The company said profit for the three months to September fell 73% to 3 billion US dollars from a year earlier. “We are not expecting a quick recovery,” Shell chief executive Peter Voser said.