Stories for March 9th 2010

Tuesday, March 9th 2010 - 23:24 UTC
Bachelet retained her position as “the most loved leader” by Chileans

A public opinion poll with the purpose of gauging support for Chilean President Michelle Bachelet in the last days of her government, after the devastating earthquake, showed that her standing remains intact at 84%, like in February.
Tuesday, March 9th 2010 - 23:03 UTC
Piñera promised to keep the Army displayed in areas worst hit by the quake

Chilean President elect Sebastián Piñera announced that once he takes office, the military forces displayed in the areas worst hit by the February 27 earthquake will be retained. He also anticipated that the “state of catastrophe” in a very selective manner will be enforced in all those areas which are in need.
Tuesday, March 9th 2010 - 22:37 UTC
Mujica first overseas trip: Piñera’s inauguration and Bolivia

Uruguayan president Jose Mujica will be present Thursday at the inauguration ceremony of Chilean president-elect Sebastián Piñera and will later travel to Bolivia, his first overseas trip since taking office March first, according to government house sources.
Tuesday, March 9th 2010 - 22:33 UTC
Russian company sets up sturgeon farm in Argentina to produce caviar

The Russian company Sturgeon & Caviar is set to begin in coming weeks the production of caviar in the Argentine northern province of La Rioja according to local government sources.
Tuesday, March 9th 2010 - 20:33 UTC
Violence and crime eroding the popularity of President Chavez

It has been several years now since the Venezuelan government published official statistics on violence but according to a NGO that keeps records of crimes, last year 16.047 people were killed, compared to 14.800 in 2008 and 4.500 in 1998.
Tuesday, March 9th 2010 - 19:57 UTC
Falklands’ government donates £ 5.000 to Chile Earthquake Appeal Fund

The Falkland Islands Government donated £ 5.000 to the Chile Earthquake Appeal Fund, which was opened by Chilean residents in the Islands to help victims of the earthquake that devastated central Chile.
Tuesday, March 9th 2010 - 19:12 UTC
Falklands all Party Parliamentary Group chairman steps down

The Falkland Islands Government hosted a dinner at the House of Commons to say farewell to Sir Nicholas Winterton MP, as Chairman of the UK Falkland Islands All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), a post he has held since 1997.
Tuesday, March 9th 2010 - 19:03 UTC
Immediate infrastructure reconstruction cost for Chile, 1.2 billion USD

Chilean Public Works Minister Sergio Bitar estimated that the reconstruction and reparation of sidewalks, airports, canals, and other infrastructure works will cost around 1.2 billion US dollars, after the earthquake that devastated the nation. The quake was an 8.8 on the Richter scale.
Tuesday, March 9th 2010 - 18:59 UTC
“European Monetary Fund” to cope with Greece type crises

The European Union is considering creating a rescue fund that could anticipate fundamental changes in the 27-country bloc and bring closer economic cooperation following Greece's debt crisis.
Tuesday, March 9th 2010 - 18:53 UTC
Britain files legal challenge against EC over Gibraltar waters row

The British Government has filed a legal challenge against the European Commission’s decision to re-list Spain’s controversial nature site in Gibraltar waters. Britain had already announced that it would take the step and the case was filed with the European Court of Justice last Thursday, just a day before the March 5 deadline.