Stories for 2009

Monday, May 11th 2009 - 08:05 UTC
Itaipu new deal between Brazil and Paraguay still difficult and distant

Paraguay’s chances of a better deal from Brazil regarding the Itaipu Hydroelectric dam surplus power and its price are seen as “difficult” particularly because Brazil is approaching an electoral year, according to Asuncion press reports from journalists who accompanied President Fernando Lugo in his visit to Brasilia.
Monday, May 11th 2009 - 07:55 UTC
Independent audit body to audit British Parliament expenses

Plans for an independent auditing body to validate Britain Members of Parliament expenses claims are expected to be approved on Monday, following weeks of damaging stories. Senior Labour MP Sir Stuart Bell said MPs would be asked to approve the body, made up entirely of independent people.
Monday, May 11th 2009 - 07:48 UTC
British MP’s expenses scandal: call for an early election

A former speaker from the British House of Commons said that Parliament should be dissolved if the expenses scandal continues to rumble on. Tory Lord Naseby said the status of Parliament had been brought “right down into the pits” and Gordon Brown could be forced to call a general election as a result.
Monday, May 11th 2009 - 07:42 UTC
North Korean Foreign Affairs minister arrives in Brazil

North Korea’s Foreign Affairs minister Pak Ui-Chun arrived Sunday in Brazil to meet with his counterpart Celso Amorim, according to a release from the Brazilian ministry. Brazil and North Korea established formal diplomatic relation in 2001.
Monday, May 11th 2009 - 07:32 UTC
UN Environment Program agreement to ban nine persistent organic pollutants

Under of the auspices of the United Nations Environment Program meeting in Geneva 150 governments have agreed to ban the production of nine of the world's most hazardous chemicals.
Monday, May 11th 2009 - 07:31 UTC
Cruise “Crown Princess” forces BA flight to abort landing in Gibraltar

A British Airways plane had to abort its landing this weekend after a large cruise ship strayed into its flight path as it sailed from Gibraltar, reports the local press.
Saturday, May 9th 2009 - 07:44 UTC
Prestigious Hispanic civil rights activist next US ambassador in Argentina

The President Barack Obama administration has named a prestigious civil rights activist of Hispanic-Mexican origin as the next US ambassador in Argentina. Vilma Socorro Martinez, 66, will replace Ambassador Earl Anthony Wayne who has held the job for three and a half years.
Saturday, May 9th 2009 - 07:40 UTC
Ten US leading banks need 74.6 billion in extra funds

US bank Wells Fargo has said it plans to raise 7.5 billion US dollars from selling new shares, a day after the US Treasury said 10 banks needed to boost reserves. Morgan Stanley is also hoping to raise 3.5 billion from share sales. Bank of America said it planned to sell assets and raise capital to secure the 33.9 billion it needs.
Saturday, May 9th 2009 - 07:37 UTC
Worst annual loss for world’s biggest carmaker

Toyota, the world's biggest carmaker, has made its worst annual loss as the global economic downturn has hit demand for its vehicles. The Japanese company said it made a net loss equivalent to 4.4 billon US dollars in the year to 31 March, compared with a record profit the year before. Toyota said it expected to make a bigger loss in this financial year.
Saturday, May 9th 2009 - 07:30 UTC
Uruguay imposes sanitary controls at Argentina and Brazil borders

Uruguay extended sanitary controls to borders with Argentina and Brazil following the confirmation of several cases of the influenza A/H1N1 in its neighbouring countries, the first to be reported in Mercosur.