Stories for March 25th 2010

Thursday, March 25th 2010 - 20:45 UTC
First minefield cleared in Falkland Islands – thanks to Zimbabweans

ZIMBABWEAN de-miners were cheered and clapped by a large crowd of Falklands residents today as the, “brave and hardworking” experts demonstrated confidence in their work by holding a soccer game in the recently cleared Minefield 25 on Sapper Hill near Stanley.
Thursday, March 25th 2010 - 13:04 UTC
Falklands politicians an important resource says British Government official

“AN important international diplomatic resource” is how Foreign and Commonwealth (FCO) official Colin Roberts visiting the Falkland Islands describes Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
Thursday, March 25th 2010 - 05:47 UTC
Former Spanish president warns on China’s growing influence in Latinamerica

Former Spanish president Felipe González and several experts in economics and politics warned about the growing influence of China in Latin America, which nevertheless could also help to balance the international scenario according to a forum held in New York University sponsored by the Euro-America Foundation.
Thursday, March 25th 2010 - 03:20 UTC
Latinamerica, “winning region of the financial crisis”, says optimistic IDB

Latin American countries' banking and financial officials were optimistic Tuesday about their future development, saying most economies in the region were strengthened after the global financial crisis.
Thursday, March 25th 2010 - 03:18 UTC
Mercosur-Israel free trade agreement becomes effective

The free trade agreement between Mercosur and Israel, the first out of the region for the South American block, became effective this week for Paraguay. For the rest of Mercosur full members, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay the official date is April first.
Thursday, March 25th 2010 - 03:13 UTC
Chilean navy clears of mines the most extreme south of islands

The Chilean Navy celebrated this week the destruction of the 200th antipersonnel mine in the extreme south Horno Island, thus eliminating Field 113 from the list of territories that were planted with mines in 1982.
Thursday, March 25th 2010 - 03:11 UTC
Die-off of whales along Argentine Patagonia alarm scientific community

The scientific community is alarmed by the die-off of southern right whales along the coasts of Argentine Patagonia. In the last three years some 300 specimens of these marine mammals have been found dead on the beaches of Valdes Peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean, a number far beyond what would be considered normal, according to scientific experts.
Thursday, March 25th 2010 - 03:05 UTC
UN report points to “clear inequities” in province, class and gender in Argentina

Argentina is confronting “clear inequities” as reflected by the incidence of “avoidable” maternal deaths during childbirth, the frequency of abortion among poor women and the concentration of new HIV infections in the most marginalized sector of the population, according to a U.N. report presented this week.
Thursday, March 25th 2010 - 02:59 UTC
Mercosur expects a next move from EU to advance trade discussions

Mercosur expects the European Union to improve its offer so that both sides can advance towards a free trade agreement, according to Brazil and Uruguay’s Foreign Affairs ministers Celso Amorim and Luis Almagro who met in Rio do Janeiro this week.
Thursday, March 25th 2010 - 02:53 UTC
Indian forces armed with the hottest of spices grenades to combat terrorists

Indian Armed Forces have a new weapon to combat terrorism: 'bhut jolokia' recognised as the hottest of spices. Forces will pack a punch mixed with hand grenades or tear gas shells to deal with terrorists, as trials by Indian defence scientists have shown.