Stories for May 2012

Monday, May 14th 2012 - 05:08 UTC
Huge garbage patch in north Pacific is creating changes in the ocean food web

In a part of the ocean known as the North Pacific Gyre, human-produced plastic has increased 100-fold over the past 40 years, according to a new study. This is the infamous Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is not an actual floating island of garbage, but which is filled with floating bits of plastic, often fingernail-sized, mostly from the US west coast and from the east coast of Asia.
Monday, May 14th 2012 - 05:03 UTC
German opposition wins in the most populous state and finds their “SPD Angela”

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives suffered a crushing defeat on Sunday in an election in Germany’s most populous state, a result which could embolden the left opposition to step up attacks on her European austerity policies.
Monday, May 14th 2012 - 05:00 UTC
Town in Kent celebrates 250th anniversary of first recording of ‘sandwich’

When John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich, ordered beef served between slices of bread about 250 years ago he probably did not think his request would become a global convenience meal.
Monday, May 14th 2012 - 04:34 UTC
Chavez one man show to convince followers his doing fine

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez strode, sang and gave a rousing speech on Friday in a careful show of vigour after his latest cancer treatment in Cuba fanned rumours he was dying five months before an election.
Monday, May 14th 2012 - 04:20 UTC
Unasur defence spending one of the lowest in the world: average 0.91% of GDP

Union of South American Nations (Unasur) member states released a report detailing each country’s military spending. Ministers and diplomats from the twelve nation regional bloc also pledged further military integration, proposing the creation of a Citizen Security Council.
Monday, May 14th 2012 - 03:49 UTC
Latam and Asia-Pacific plan closer; bilateral trade expanding 20% annually

Fast-growing trade and investment between the Asia-Pacific area and Latin America and the Caribbean have transformed the two regions into powerful motors for the world economy, with two-way trade hitting 442 billion dollars last year. The time is right to deepen cooperation so as to ensure future growth and prosperity, according to a new study.
Sunday, May 13th 2012 - 09:10 UTC
Argentina doesn’t want to start a trade war

By Jorge Argüello (*) - What defines a protectionist country nowadays? Is it when a developing country takes precautions against a flood of products with plummeting prices due to an international crisis? Or, is it when an export powerhouse delivers large subsidies exclusively for domestic production? In a world economy like today’s can protectionism be measured solely by Customs measures or those targeting imports?
Sunday, May 13th 2012 - 09:05 UTC
Torres del Paine reforestation: 200.000 trees to be planted annually during five years

The reforestation of Chilean Patagonia world famous Torres del Paine National Park started this week when 50 volunteers arrived to plant the first round of trees after fires devastated the park in January.
Saturday, May 12th 2012 - 09:21 UTC
Argentina/Spain dispute moves from oil corporation to too quality hams

Just days after finalizing the hostile takeover of Spanish-owned oil and gas company YPF, the Argentine government got even more hostile, freezing imports of Spain’s signature delicacy: ham.
Saturday, May 12th 2012 - 09:19 UTC
Poor year for Argentine exports of apples and pears: lesser volumes and lower prices

The Argentine Chamber of Integrated Fruit Exporters, CAFI reported that apple and pear exports continued a sharp decline in terms of exported volume, with a downfall of 30% (about 90.000 tons in total) compared to the previous year and 15% less in relation to 2010.