Chavez called on all parties to respect the election results
On Local time of 15th, Venezuela on the constitutional amendment lauched referendum, in which voters would decide whether to abolish the number limit of Members re-elected of the elected officials at all levels. On the afternoon, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in Caracas, the capital of the western, in one polling station held a brief press conference. In his speech, Chavez called for national parties to respect the referendum results, respect for the will of the people. He said that regardless of the outcome of the referendum, the Venezuelan Government would guarantee the country’s peace, to stop any attempt to create violence or not admit the conduct of the election results.
Chavez won the referendum for the abolition of the presidential term limit
On February 16th, according to Agence France-Presse it was reported, that Venezuela on the constitutional amendment lauched referendum, in which voters would decide whether to abolish the number limit of Members re-elected of the elected officials at all levels. The chairman of the Electoral Commission of Venezuela announced on the same day, Chavez with 54.36% of the votes won the referendum which meant that Chavez would be eligible to take part in the presidential election in 2012 for re-election again. The referendum asked voters express “consent” or “no” for whether or not only the abolition of the president, governors, parliamentarians, mayors and City Council in term limits.
Part of the global sovereign wealth funds will be transferred to invest own state
Xinhua in Beijing on February 16th, the famous consulting firm Financial Relations Fortemedia hearing on the 15th in a survey report said that, in view of the expected economic downturn, the global major sovereign wealth funds in 2009 would curb overseas investment, and part of the sovereign fund would shifted focus in their home markets. The report noted that the head of sovereign wealth funds this year, would generally take a cautious investment strategy, to select a good opportunity into the stock market to gain the greatest return on investment.
GM may filed for bankruptcy protection
According to the U.S. “Wall Street Journal”, it was reported on 14th, that automotive giant General Motors was considering to apply for court bankruptcy protection in order to be able to divest non-performing assets, restructure the high-quality business of the company. In accordance with previous agreements, if GM and Chrysler want to get 174 million dollars in aid loans from the Government, they must come up with the reorganization plan before next Tuesday. According to Reuters, GM is currently holding negotiations with working with creditors, Auto Workers union and so on to a view to be able to divest 28 billion U.S. dollars in debt. However, before next Tuesday the negotiation may be difficult to reach an agreement.
IBM intends to withdraw from all positions which do not deal directly with the customers from North America
NEW YORK on February 16th the evening news, according to foreign media reports, IBM plans to withdraw from all positions which do not deal directly with the customers from North America, so employees will be transfered to lower-cost countries and regions. The media reported in earlier this month, IBM for staffs fired of 2000 in the United States and Canada recently provided new jobs: transfering to China, Brazil, India and Europe and other lower-cost countries and regions.