Stories for July 2010
Consumer goods imports make Brazil’s trade surplus fall 44% in first half of 2010
Brazil’s trade surplus fell 44% in the first half of 2010 from the same period a year ago as domestic growth boosted imports of consumer goods and exports missed estimates, the Trade Ministry said.
BP Argentine assets on sale to pay for Gulf of Mexico spill; China interested
China National Offshore Oil Corp., the country’s third-largest oil and gas company, declined to comment on reports it is holding talks to buy as much as 9 billion US dollars of BP Plc’s assets in South America.
China’s Xinhua launches 24-hour global news channel in English, CNC
China's state news agency Xinhua has launched a 24-hour global news channel in English. Officials said CNC World would present “an international vision with a China perspective”.
EU suggests Argentina’s import restrictions could delay Mercosur trade talks
Negotiations for a trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, re-launched this week in Buenos Aires, could not have a second chapter if the Argentine government insists in restrictions to food imports, said the head of the EU delegation.
Amnesty blasts Cuba regime for “climate of fear” and 53 prisoners of conscience
Cuba has created a “climate of fear” among political activists and journalists working on the island nation, according to a report released this week by the human rights group Amnesty International.
Argentina upgrades Tourism to Ministry given its growing economic contribution
Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner led the swearing-in ceremony of Enrique Meyer as Minister of the newly created Ministry of Tourism. Meyer was Secretary of Tourism but this week the post was upgraded to Ministry.
Construction slump in Punta Arenas lifts unemployment to 6%
Unemployment in the extreme south of Chile, Magallanes Region, increased for the second mobile quarter running and now stands at 6% with construction industry receiving the heaviest blow, according to the latest release from the regional Statistics Office, INE.
MP Laing, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Gibraltar Group
British Conservative MP Elainor Laing is the new chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Gibraltar Group, a House of Commons spokesman announced Wednesday night. Mrs Laing is no stranger to the Rock as she attended the main National Day rally when it was organised in Casemates Square.
Meryl Streep considering playing Margaret Thatcher with Director Lloyd
Hollywood Academy Award winning actress Meryl Streep is planning a reunion with her “Mamma Mia!” director, Phyllida Lloyd: Streep is in talks to play controversial former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Lula da Silva signs bill for the capitalization of Petrobras
The bill governing the capitalization of Brazilian energy giant Petrobras was approved Wednesday by President Lula da Silva. It is the first step to establish the new regulatory framework for exploiting crude oil under the pre-salt layer of the continental seabed of Brazil.
