Stories for December 21st 2009

Monday, December 21st 2009 - 17:49 UTC
Uruguay’s president-elect expected to announce ministerial cabinet this week

Uruguay’s president elect Jose Mujica is expected to announce this week the ministerial cabinet that will be working with him when he takes office next March first, according to sources from his headquarters.
Monday, December 21st 2009 - 17:42 UTC
Colombia beefs up Venezuelan border with airborne battalions

The Colombian government has announced it is building a new military base on its border with Venezuela and has activated six new airborne battalions. Relations between the two nations are at a historic low with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez already telling his generals to prepare for war.
He moved 15,000 more troops up to the border, accusing Colombia and its ally, the US, of planning an attack.
Monday, December 21st 2009 - 17:37 UTC
Scotland demand full investigation into collapse of Flyglobespan airline

Scotland's finance secretary has called for a full investigation into the collapse of the Flyglobespan airline, which also had a contract with the British Ministry of Defence for the air link Brize Norton, MPA in the Falkland Islands.
Monday, December 21st 2009 - 17:32 UTC
British MoD row over Ascension Islands reached the London press

The military outpost of Ascension Island “vital to the protection of the Falkland Islands” is at the centre of a row over tax bills unpaid by the Ministry of Defence, according to an article on Sunday’s edition of the Daily Express.
Monday, December 21st 2009 - 17:19 UTC
Brazilean industry to manufacture 2.044 armoured vehicles for the Army

The Brazilian Army and Fiat Iveco signed an agreement for the manufacturing or 2.044 armoured vehicles involving 3.5 billion US dollars as part of the new National Defence Strategy launched by the administration of President Lula da Silva.
Monday, December 21st 2009 - 15:22 UTC
Renovation year for Bolivian Armed Forces

Bolivia’s Armed forces expect next year to renew their military hardware and “store away all the junk”, but also called on neighbouring countries “not to fear” Bolivian plans.
Monday, December 21st 2009 - 13:09 UTC
Mercosur: Chavez sends “peace” message to Paraguayan Senate

President Hugo Chavez said he was hopeful the Paraguayan congress would vote for Venezuela to join Mercosur since Paraguay is one of the countires to “most benefit” from such an incorporation.
Monday, December 21st 2009 - 13:05 UTC
Greece on its own: no bail out from the European central bank

Two leading Greek banks, Eurobank and Alphabank, have had their credit ratings downgraded by ratings agency Standard and Poor's while the European Central Bank said there will be no bail out for debt-stricken member states.
Monday, December 21st 2009 - 12:59 UTC
Beijing has over 4 million cars registered (2 million in 2003)

China’s capital Beijing registry has reached 4,001,426 vehicles and 5,679,000 drivers, according to a release from the municipal government. The number of vehicles and drivers jumped 497,000 and 536,000 respectively in the last twelve months.