Stories for 2009

Thursday, April 30th 2009 - 12:35 UTC
Brazil lowers basic interest rate to a record 10.25%

Brazil’s Central Bank cut its benchmark interest rate Selic for a third-straight time to a record low of 10.25% as it seeks to prevent the sluggish economy from contracting further this year.
Thursday, April 30th 2009 - 12:32 UTC
“The Kirchners and their model are taking us back to the explosive 2001”

Following on fear tactics, Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner warned that if in the coming June mid term elections the government looses its majority “we’ll be back at the explosive Argentina of 2001”.
Thursday, April 30th 2009 - 12:24 UTC
Swine flu: Lula da Silva calls for caution and responsibility from the media

Brazilian president Lula da Silva called on Wednesday for “caution” when dealing with the swine flu information and “let us not play terrorism” with the disease. He underlined that Brazil “was prepared” to face such a challenge.
Thursday, April 30th 2009 - 12:23 UTC
Smallest wheat crop since 1910 forecasted for Argentina

Argentina is forecasted to plant the smallest wheat crop on record because of drought and export restrictions, according to the Buenos Aires Cereals Exchange. Planting will fall as low as 3.7 million hectares this fall that would be the smallest since the Exchange began recording such data in 1910.
Thursday, April 30th 2009 - 12:19 UTC
Chilean energy company confirms coal mining in Magallanes

Roberto Angelini, president of the Chilean industrial Angelini conglomerate which owns petroleum distribution company COPEC, announced plans for COPEC's expansion in 2009, worth 678 million US dollars, despite the financial crisis
Thursday, April 30th 2009 - 12:13 UTC
Brazil, Argentina consolidate dominance of Mercosur

Mercosur representatives reached this week in Asuncion, Paraguay a political agreement which opens the way for the creation of a Supranational Justice Tribunal and “contained” proportional representation in the Mercosur parliament.
Thursday, April 30th 2009 - 12:08 UTC
Raul Castro still open to talks with US, but rejects idea of symbolic gesture

Cuban President Raul Castro said Wednesday his country does not need to make any symbolic “gestures” as it pursues better relations with the United States. Addressing the Non Aligned Movement meeting in Havana Castro said he is still willing to talk about all issues and that it was up to the US to make the next move.
Thursday, April 30th 2009 - 12:05 UTC
Morales lobbies for Cuba and describes himself as partly “Marxist-Leninist”

Bolivia’s president Evo Morales defined himself as “Marxist-Leninist” in an interview with the Argentine newspaper Clarín in which he rejects the continued exclusion of Cuba from the Organization of American States, OAS dating back to 1962.
Thursday, April 30th 2009 - 07:58 UTC
“US Swine flu severity no worse than seasonal flu” says expert

As of April 29, 91 people in the United States had confirmed cases, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The first US death occurred on April 27, when a two-year-old child succumbed to swine flu after travelling from Mexico to Houston for treatment.
Thursday, April 30th 2009 - 07:54 UTC
Cruise lines suspend calls at Mexican ports

At least three cruise lines have suspended stops as of this week at Mexican ports because of concerns over the country's swine-flu outbreak. The cancellation of ship visits followed a recommendation issued this week by the U.S. Centres for Disease Control that advised US citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Mexico.