Stories for 2009

Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 12:35 UTC
Cuba is desperate to promote agriculture.

Measures to promote the “attachment to farms” and discourage the exodus of peasants to the cities thus helping Cuba achieve self sufficiency in food production, was demanded in Sunday’s edition of the official newspaper from the Union of Communist Youths, Juventud Rebelde.
Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 12:25 UTC
Latinamerican Liberals hold congress in “Bolivarian” Venezuela

Liberal political parties and thinkers from Latinamerica are holding their annual congress this week in the Venezuelan capital Caracas. The event is in the framework of the 25th anniversary of the local branch Cedice-Libertad and will promote debates on liberal policies to address poverty and the current global slowdown.
Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 12:22 UTC
EU summit agrees to scrap (failed) rules on fishing quotas

European fisheries ministers have concluded a meeting in Brussels with a consensus to effectively scrap current rules that decide fishing quotas. Environmentalists and fishermen alike have long argued the existing system - set annually - has failed the industry.
Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 12:18 UTC
Third consecutive period for Lula da Silva reaches political arena

A third presidential period for Lula da Silva is “a risk” which would distance the country “from the republic and would draw it nearer to a monarchy” said the president of the Brazilian Supreme Electoral Tribunal, TSE, Ayres Brito.
Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 12:06 UTC
Buenos Aires residents’ infatuated cultural self esteem

A majority of Buenos Aires City residents consider themselves more enlightened and educated than the rest of Argentines and of Latinamericans with the movies as their main leisure distraction, according to a public opinion poll published in the Sunday edition of the newspaper Perfil.
Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 12:05 UTC
Government tells Cubans: austerity or blackouts

The Cuban government reduced from 6 to 2% the projected growth of the economy for 2009. The announcement was made by Cabinet vice president and Economy Minister Marino Murillo during a meeting at which “exceptional measures” were announced starting June first to reduce energy consumption, the official daily Juventud Rebelde said Saturday.
Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 11:40 UTC
Brazilian industry to openly debate Itaipu power plant controversy

The world’s largest operational hydroelectric dam and how the energy produced should be distributed and traded will be at the heart of a debate Wednesday between Brazil’s main industrial organization, FIESP, and Paraguayan authorities, the two countries who share the giant power station.
Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 06:06 UTC
Gibraltar’s enthusiasm to vote in June 4 Euro-Parliament elections

Gibraltarians enthusiasm to vote and participate in politics will again be confirmed in the coming June Euro-elections. The Rock of Gibraltar lies at the tip of Spain and overlooks the north of Africa and on June 4 will help choose who represents South West England in the European Parliament.
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.