Stories for 2009

Saturday, May 2nd 2009 - 10:13 UTC
US car sales down but “Fusion” helps Ford increase market share

United States car sales continued to struggle in April as cash-conscious consumers remained reluctant to buy new vehicles, and the industry faced turmoil. Chrysler saw a 48% drop in April sales from the same month a year ago, a day after seeking bankruptcy protection.
Saturday, May 2nd 2009 - 09:57 UTC
Gurkha veterans fighting for better treatment from UK government

Jubilant former Gurkhas living in Swindon, some of them Falklands veterans have welcomed the surprise news that their former colleagues could be given equal right of residence to live in the United Kingdom. Mahendra Rai, from Liden, who saw action in the Falkland Islands with the 7th Gurkha Rifles including the bitter battle at Goose Green, was among the veterans at Westminster on Tuesday who witnessed the Government’s defeat on the issue in the House of Commons.
Saturday, May 2nd 2009 - 09:55 UTC
Panama Canal announces four-month rates reduction period

Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced a temporary plan that will provide short-term cost reduction and greater flexibility to its Reservation System. The temporary measures, designed to help mitigate the impact of the economic crisis on the Canal's clients, were approved by the ACP Board of Directors earlier in the week, said spokesmen.
Saturday, May 2nd 2009 - 09:53 UTC
Bolivia announces agreed nationalization of BP aviation fuel division

Bolivian President Evo Morales announced the nationalization of the local unit of BP's aviation division on Friday, further tightening state control over the energy industry. At a May Day rally, Morales said he signed a decree to take over Air BP, a division of British oil major BP Plc.
Saturday, May 2nd 2009 - 09:45 UTC
Brazil launches project to become leading oil super-power

Brazil government managed energy company Petrobras on Friday lifted the first sub-salt oil from the massive, ultra-deep, offshore Tupi field in the Santos basin, an action Brazil's government hopes will launch a new era for Latin America's largest economy.
Saturday, May 2nd 2009 - 09:39 UTC
“Itaipú proposal” waits President Lugo when he visits Brazil

Brazil could anticipate payments to Paraguay for the energy from the shared huge Itaipu dam, which should help the Treasury of the weakened President Fernando Lugo. However Brazil would also like to see an end to Paraguay’s intention of modifying the Itaipu dam accord, according to the Brazilian press quoting government sources.
Friday, May 1st 2009 - 13:31 UTC
Falklands’ customers disenchanted with telecoms provider

Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News update. Headlines: Lack of trust between Cable and Wireless and the customer; Reckless driving: verdict today
Friday, May 1st 2009 - 13:05 UTC
New York City police incorporates 40 hybrid patrol cars

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly deployed on Thursday 40 marked and unmarked Nissan Altima hybrid patrol cars. The cars are part of the mayor's plan to slash city emissions by 30% by 2017.
Friday, May 1st 2009 - 12:55 UTC
US tourism industry readies for ban-end to travel and vacation in Cuba

There are growing expectations in the Florida based tourism industry that the US government will let US citizens vacation in Cuba. Next Monday begins a trade fair, considered the largest Caribbean island showcase for tour operators, travel agents, airline and cruise representatives from around the world and all eyes are set on the political decision to open Cuba to US tourists after a 47-year trade embargo, reports USA Today.
Friday, May 1st 2009 - 12:53 UTC
Brazil’s pre-salt basin oil extraction becomes commercial operation

Petrobras, Brazil’s state-managed oil company will begin Friday to extract oil from the off-shore pre-salt Tupi field and is “very secure” about production expectations, said Guilherme Estrella, head of exploration and production.