Stories for July 31st 2010

Saturday, July 31st 2010 - 05:42 UTC
Following repeated blackouts Chile announces major overhaul of power control

In light of recent problems with Chile’s electrical system Energy Minister Ricardo Raineri announced this week plans to overhaul the control centre of the interconnected power grid, on which the majority of Chile’s electricity is run.
Saturday, July 31st 2010 - 05:35 UTC
US second quarter growth down to an annual 2.4%, from a previous 3.7%

United States economic growth slowed between April and June, with GDP growing by an annualised rate of 2.4%, the US Commerce Department announced Friday. This compares with an annual rate of 3.7% in the previous quarter.
Saturday, July 31st 2010 - 05:30 UTC
World’s leading iron-ore producer and exporter moves into the copper business

Brazilian mining conglomerate Vale Rio Doce announced this week that it will make a public offer to acquire Paranapanema, the country’s largest copper smelter, as part of a bid to become one of the world’s leading producers of the red metal.
Saturday, July 31st 2010 - 05:26 UTC
Record unemployment in Spain reaches 20.09%, highest since 1997

Spain’s unemployment rate already the highest in the Euro region rose to the most in more than a decade in the second quarter: 20.09% up from 20.05% in the first quarter, according to the country’s National Statistics Institute. This is the highest since 1997.
Saturday, July 31st 2010 - 05:23 UTC
Brutal slaughter of pilot whales in Denmark’s Faroe Islands

The disembowelled bodies of brutally slaughtered whales line a dockside just 230 miles from Britain - as families with children wander among them, according to a report from The Sun.
Saturday, July 31st 2010 - 05:11 UTC
The 3.000 pax Celebrity Eclipse on her inaugural cruise to Gibraltar

An introductory plaque exchange ceremony took place on the new cruise liner Celebrity Eclipse when she made her inaugural call to Gibraltar this week.
Saturday, July 31st 2010 - 05:08 UTC
Chile ahead in the region as recipient of direct foreign investment

A report issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) puts Chile ahead of Brazil in terms of direct foreign investment so far this year. Brazil had been the regional leader since 2007.
Saturday, July 31st 2010 - 05:05 UTC
Lula da Silva will continue to openly support Dilma’s presidential campaign

Brazilian president Lula da Silva who insists in campaigning for the incumbent presidential candidate Dilma Rousseff, in spite of electoral regulations, revealed that the country’s ‘coup elite’ tried to remove him from office.
Saturday, July 31st 2010 - 05:03 UTC
The first two male couples marry in Argentina under recently approved law

An actor and his agent sealed Friday in Buenos Aires their 34-year relationship and years of struggle to have their rights acknowledged as they became the first same-sex couple to be married under Argentine law.