Stories for March 2010

Monday, March 22nd 2010 - 20:53 UTC
IDB agrees to 70 billion USD capital increase and condones Haiti’s debt

The Inter American Development Bank’s (IDB) board agreed to a 70 billion US dollars capital increase, an amount that should allow the organization to lend 12 billion a year, bank President Luis Alberto Moreno said during the annual meeting in Mexico.
Monday, March 22nd 2010 - 20:50 UTC
Petrobrás second most profitable corporation in US and Latam

Brazilian Government managed energy corporation Petrobras was the second most-profitable company in the US and Latin America in 2009, even ahead of corporations such as Microsoft according to a study released Monday.
Monday, March 22nd 2010 - 11:18 UTC
US Congress passes Barack Obama's historic health care reform bill

Barack Obama has convinced Democrats in the US Congress to pass his historic health care reform bill, handing the president a victory that will give nearly every American the right to health coverage and could define his time in office.
Sunday, March 21st 2010 - 19:47 UTC
The Dark side of Brazil’s Olympic Dreams: 2016 Olympic Host Battles Poverty, Violent Crime, and Police Brutality

With colorful and scandalous flourishes, in a nation where the bizarre is often normal, Brazil’s Carnaval kicked off throughout the country on February 12th. The celebration is especially exotic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s second largest city, where the samba dancers’ elaborate talents draw millions of tourists each year.
Saturday, March 20th 2010 - 08:51 UTC
British Airways battles cabin crew strike

British Airways said it would fly more than 60 percent of passengers with flights booked for this weekend despite a three-day cabin crew strike that risks hurting the Labor government weeks before an election.
Saturday, March 20th 2010 - 06:20 UTC
Argentina’s most serious institutional crisis since 1983, but “could be for good”

Argentina is going through the most serious institutional crisis since the return of democracy in 1983, according to respected political analyst and historian Rosendo Fraga. Never “have we seen such an intense clash among the three branches of government”.
Saturday, March 20th 2010 - 06:08 UTC
Buenos Aires celebrates “excellent” 2009/10 cruise season with 11% more visitors

With just a few days for the official end of the 2009/2010 cruise season Buenos Aires City is celebrating an increase in the number of ship calls and visitors, according to the preliminary results of a poll contracted by the City’s Tourism Board.
Saturday, March 20th 2010 - 04:18 UTC
A clear majority of Uruguayans optimistic about President Mujica’s government

A clear majority of Uruguayans, 61% is optimistic about the future and believes that the government of President Jose Mujica will “be good or very good”, according to the latest Equipos Mori public opinion poll released this week.
Saturday, March 20th 2010 - 04:05 UTC
Letter to Lula da Silva: “Cuba no longer a symbol, no longer a taboo”

Brazil and the community of Latin American countries are the only ones with the ability to influence the Cuban government’s position on human rights and media freedom, says a letter addressed to Brazilian president Lula da Silva by Reporters Without Borders.
Saturday, March 20th 2010 - 02:03 UTC
Guessing time: Argentine economy expanded or contracted in 2009?

Argentine industrial output grew by 11% in February compared to a year ago and 3.4% over January, powered by car and steel plants feeding demand from neighbouring Brazil, which is recovering faster than expected from the global crisis.