Stories for May 5th 2010
UK Hung Parliament, 43% or Tories, 36% Anticipates The Guardian/ICM Poll
All three British main parties will have reason to be disappointed if the Guardian/ICM eve-of-poll survey is reflected in election results Thursday night. The Conservatives are set to fall well short of the convincing majority that, not long ago, seemed within their grasp. Labour faces one of its lowest votes of modern times and the Liberal Democrats may fail to make their hoped-for breakthrough to second place.
Cuba Boosts Tourism Industry and Plans to Develop “Virgin Regions”
Cuba received a record one million tourists in the first four months and announced a policy of “real estate development” associated with boosting marinas, golf courses and other tourist investments, mainly in “virgin regions”.
European Farmers up in Arms Against Resumption of EU/Mercosur Talks
France’s main farmers’ organization, FNSEA, called Wednesday on President Nicolas Sarkozy to pressure upon the European Community to impede the re-launching of negotiations for a free trade agreement with Mercosur
Petrobras Argentina Sells Parts of its Assets to Kirchner Couple Close Friend
Petrobras Energía (NYSE:PZE), Brazil’s government managed oil and gas corporation announced it will sell part of its assets in Argentina to Oil Combustibles SA for 110 million US dollars, including a refinery, gasoline stations and inventories.
Brazil “Blackmails” Paraguay to Approve Venezuela’s Mercosur Annexation
Paraguayan opposition and media strongly criticized Brazilian president Lula da Silva’s for not keeping his Itaipú dam-controversy promises and allegedly for conditioning further assistance to the approval by the Paraguayan congress of Venezuela’s incorporation to Mercosur.
Fresh Volcanic Ash Cloud Delay Hundreds of Flights in Scotland and Ireland
Thousands of passengers are facing long delays after airports in Scotland and Ireland closed because of a fresh cloud of volcanic ash from Iceland. Flights have been grounded in Glasgow, Prestwick and Derry since 0700 BST, while the airspace over Dublin, Belfast and Edinburgh has also since closed.
Homosexuals Campaign Against Lula da Silva’s Visit to Iran
A Brazilian non government organization which defends the rights of homosexuals launched a campaign to protest President Lula da Silva’s visit to Iran scheduled for next May 15.
France Demands “Fair and Prompt” Compensation for Bolivian Nationalizations
France's government demanded “fair and prompt” compensation from Bolivia for the nationalization of a power plant half-owned by French utility GDF Suez (EPA:GSZ).
“Transgenic Fight Back”: Evo Morales Car Stolen by “Bald Suspect”
A car used by Bolivian President Evo Morales was stolen when the driver went to buy bread rolls for the president's breakfast, officials said.
A Rousseff Administration Would Continue with Lula da Silva’s Economic Policies
Brazil’s ruling coalition president candidate Dilma Rousseff will continue with the current economic policies of the government boosting the role of state corporations if successful in the coming October election, said José Eduardo Dutra, president of the Workers' Party.
