Stories for September 15th 2010
In spite of gains, one billion people still suffer chronic hunger, says FAO
The number of hungry people in the world remains unacceptably high despite recent gains that have pushed the figure below the one billion, FAO and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced Tuesday.
Canada hosts first world conference on survival of threatened seabirds
Concern for the survival of albatrosses, penguins, and other marine birds gathered scientists from 40 countries to the first World Seabird Conference in Victoria, western Canada. The five-day event was sponsored by 26 professional seabird groups and societies from around the world.
Strong Colombian peso debilitating exports and eliminating jobs
The strong appreciation of the Colombian peso which so far this year has gained 14% against the US dollar and now stands below the 1.800 peso milestone is hitting exporters and could have an impact on employment, one of the most sensitive issues for Colombian public opinion.
Argentina elected president of G77 and prepared to act as ‘bridge” with G 20
United nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon congratulated Argentina for having been chosen to preside as of next year the G77 plus China group, anticipating Buenos Aires could act as a “bridge” with the G 20 group to which it also belongs.
Argentina confirms drilling in Malvinas basin for next December
The Argentine press confirmed that following the contracting of a semi-submersible rig from the Swedish company Stensa, a consortium of Argentine based oil companies will begin exploratory drilling in the Malvinas basin next December.
Argentine militants demand return of Falklands’ war booty docked in Buenos Aires
Argentine extreme militants belonging to a self proclaimed “Patriotic resistance” have taken over the Panama flagged Audax II docked in the port of Buenos Aires, which they allege was originally Argentine but lost to the British during the 1982 Falkland Islands conflict.
Ending the commodities ‘curse’
By Augusto de la Torre (*) - In 1672, Potosí, Bolivia, was one of the largest and richest cities in the world. Located at the base of Cerro Rico, Potosi was a hotbed of Spanish silver mining, the operations of which were so prolific; a Potosi became synonymous for great riches.
“A very warm welcome” to Benedict XVI, the first state visit of a Pope to UK
Prime Minister David Cameron offered Tuesday “a very warm welcome” to Pope Benedict XVI ahead of his visit to Britain. The first state visit by a Pope to Britain, starting on Thursday, will take in trips to Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Birmingham, and includes a meeting with PM Cameron on Saturday.
