Stories for 2009

Wednesday, November 4th 2009 - 09:42 UTC
Cuba admits overseas purchases down 36% plus difficulties to pay suppliers

Cuban purchases from United States companies will total some 580 million US dollars by the end of 2009, down 37% from last year, the head of the state corporation Alimport said this week.
Wednesday, November 4th 2009 - 09:32 UTC
Spain’s unemployment at a record 19.3% and no stopping in near future

Spain's registered jobless rose for the third consecutive month in October reaching 19.3%, as stimulus spending began to run out and the boost from the busy summer period faded.
Wednesday, November 4th 2009 - 09:29 UTC
Australia (with demand from Asia) beats recession and ups basic rate to 3.5%

Australia has raised its main interest rate for the second month in a row, to 3.5% from 3.25%. The move by its central bank was not unexpected as the Australian economy was the only one in the developed world to expand in the first half of 2009.
Wednesday, November 4th 2009 - 09:24 UTC
Iraq signs oil development agreements with Britain, China and Italy

Iraq's oil ministry has signed an initial agreement with a consortium led by the Italian firm, ENI, to develop the Zubair oilfield in southern Iraq. The deal which needs cabinet approval calls for the group to extract 200,000 barrels of oil a day, rising to 1.1 million a day within seven years.
Tuesday, November 3rd 2009 - 20:40 UTC
Chilean eco-tourism expands creating conservation zone in Patagonia

Chile’s largest Eco-Tourism firms, Nomads, plans to develop new tour routes after acquiring 22.000 hectares of un-spoiled land in southern Chile. The company hopes to create a conservation zone to protect various protected species living in the area.
Tuesday, November 3rd 2009 - 12:25 UTC
Thousands of Argentine pickets camp in the world’s widest avenue

Thousands of members from Argentine picket organizations camped Monday night in the world’s widest avenue, 9 de Julio in the heart of Buenos Aires demanding the incorporation of other groupings to the government’s unemployment subsidy plans and family allowances.
Tuesday, November 3rd 2009 - 11:58 UTC
French Defence minister calls on Argentina to follow the steps of Brazil

French Defence minister Hervé Morin said that Argentina could increase its international influence following on the steps of Brazil, which is currently modernizing its military hardware and planning on the long term.
Tuesday, November 3rd 2009 - 11:33 UTC
Argentina’s last military dictator on trial for human rights abuses

Argentina's last dictator and five military leaders who helped rule the country more than 25 years ago went on trial Monday on human rights charges
Tuesday, November 3rd 2009 - 11:30 UTC
Delaware, Cayman Islands and London City among “most secretive tax havens”

A league table of the world’s most secretive tax havens has been compiled by campaigners seeking greater transparency about the operation of ‘offshore’ finance centres. The Financial Secrecy Index (FSI) analyses the level of secrecy each haven offers, and the extent of their reluctance to co-operate with other countries tax authorities.
Tuesday, November 3rd 2009 - 11:15 UTC
Buenos Aires looking forward to a “very good cruise season”

Buenos Aires City is looking forward to what it considers a “very good cruise season” with the number of visitors increasing 11% and the number of calls 15%, according to Hernán Lombardi Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Argentine capital.