Stories for May 2009
PM Gordon Brown to launch MP code of conduct
Gordon Brown says there are “clear cases” of MPs who may have broken the law over expense claims but insisted that only “a few” MPs had abused the Westminster perks system.
Falklands: Argentine war veteran publishes little known stories
WITH one or two significant exceptions, like the notorious Major Patricio Dowling, our invaders in 1982 were largely anonymous to the citizens of
Stanley, particularly the ordinary soldiers in their helmets and flapping rubber ponchos.
UK Vauxhall unions fearful of GM Europe/Magna Canada deal
British union leaders say they fear for UK jobs after a deal was announced to save the European arm of General Motors. Germany has agreed a deal with Canadian car parts maker Magna International to take over most of GM Europe, which owns Vauxhall and Germany-based Opel.
“Swine flu cruise” with 2.000 passengers cancels trip to Great Barrier Reef
Eighty-three passengers disembarked in Australia Saturday from the “swine flu ship” Pacific Dawn after it was allowed to dock in Brisbane, officials said.
WHO: Tobacco packages must use pictorial warnings
For another year in a row the World Health Organization (WHO) declares May 31 for a world no-smoking day. It draws global attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to its negative health effects. Every year the WHO joins all the people worldwide around a topic towards reducing tobacco consumption. This year’s subject is: health warning messages on the packaging of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Big Ben rings in its 150th anniversary on Sunday
Defiantly low-tech yet accurate to the second, Big Ben is having its 150th birthday Sunday, its Victorian chimes carrying the sound of Britain into the 21st century.
World: Climate change 'killing thousands'
Climate change is killing about 315,000 people a year through hunger, sickness and weather disasters, according to a new report. The report, commissioned by the Geneva-based Global Humanitarian Forum (GHF) and released on Friday, said the the annual death toll is expected to rise to half a million by 2030.
Chilean economic crisis freezes construction of 100 buildings
New apartment building construction in Santiago de Chile is down by 14.6% since October 2008, according to the latest figures from real estate agency Collect GFK.
Last fall there were 560 housing projects underway, but as of April that number is down to 461, including 166 projects on hold.
Construction in Argentina falls 3% in April and 2.7% in four months
Construction in Argentina fell 3% in April year-on-year, accumulating a 2.7% decline since the start of the year, the INDEC statistics' bureau reported. Nevertheless, construction activity grew 3.6% from the previous month, according to the agency, which was partly explained by seasonal effects.
UK reaffirms Falklands’ sovereignty on postage stamps issue
Britain stands by its decision to issue postage stamps from the disputed territories of and around the Falkland Islands, according to a letter to the UN secretary-general made public at the United Nations Headquarters in New York this week.
