Stories for December 3rd 2009

Friday, December 4th 2009 - 05:06 UTC
UK government warns bankers “to come back into the real world”

A British government minister has told bankers “to come back into the real world” after Royal Bank of Scotland directors threatened to resign over bonuses. City Minister Lord Myners said it was unrealistic that bankers should expect to be paid million pound bonuses.
Friday, December 4th 2009 - 05:01 UTC
Promotion of Sustainable Tourism on Chile’s Easter Island

The US World Monuments Fund, together with Chile’s forestry agency CONAF, has designed a visitors’ centre on Easter Island to enhance sustainable tourism. The project, valued at more than 460.000 USD, will be built at the entrance to the ceremonial village of Orongo.
Friday, December 4th 2009 - 04:54 UTC
Chilean government defends arms’ purchases: 6 billion USD since 1990

Chile does not want to start an arms race, nor does it have aggressive intentions toward its neighbours.
Friday, December 4th 2009 - 04:49 UTC
Trained African rats help to clear of mines areas of Mozambique

Rats have been effective in the detection of antipersonnel mines and home-made explosives in Mozambique, Africa, and based on the experience an estimated 700.000 square metres (70 hectares) have been cleared.
Thursday, December 3rd 2009 - 23:37 UTC
Exploration phase to bring financial benefit to Falklands private sector

THE Falklands private sector is set to benefit financially from the next oil drilling round scheduled to begin early in February.
Thursday, December 3rd 2009 - 13:35 UTC
Toys’ game: Brazil warns Argentina that trade restrictions will be reciprocated

Brazil has threatened with trade reprisals if Argentina does not lift new restrictions to imports of Brazilian manufactured toys. Trade tensions between the two Mercosur partners and largest economies of South America have soured lately because of what Brazil considers “protectionist” measures and attitudes from Argentina.
Thursday, December 3rd 2009 - 13:32 UTC
Mujica to meet with Lula da Silva next week in Montevideo

Uruguayan president-elect Jose Mujica is scheduled to meet next Tuesday with Brazilian president Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the Mercosur summit to be held in Montevideo, according to diplomatic sources.
Thursday, December 3rd 2009 - 13:27 UTC
Honduras overwhelmingly votes against reinstatement of Zelaya

Honduras’ Congress overwhelmingly voted Wednesday against the reinstatement of ousted President Manuel Zelaya, a move that closes the door on his return to power after he was toppled in a June coup.
Thursday, December 3rd 2009 - 13:20 UTC
Falklands’ war veteran medals fetched a record £ 70.000

Medals belonging to a Falklands war veteran who wanted the cash because his injuries prevented him working have fetched a record £70,000 at auction. Captain Ian Bailey of Ash Vale, Surrey, was awarded the Military Medal for his part in an attack on two Argentine positions on Mount Longdon, in 1982.
Thursday, December 3rd 2009 - 10:28 UTC
Mujica wants “the best possible relations” with Argentina

Uruguayan President-elect José Mujica vowed to have “the best possible relations” with Argentina and “isolate” the conflict over the Botnia pulp mill, which has generated frictions in the bilateral relation.