Stories for January 2007
Pulp mills dispute: Argentina on full offensive
Uruguay promised to consider all proposals from the Spanish Crown envoy who is attempting to “facilitate a dialogue” between Argentina and Uruguay that are confronted over the construction of pulp mills in a shared border river.
Passengers of stranded cruise taken to Ushuaia
The 300 passengers of a cruise vessel that ran aground in the South Shetlands are being transferred to another ship from the same company and will be transported to Ushuaia, extreme south Argentina.
Fed leaves rates unchanged; “inflation likely to moderate”
The United States Federal Reserve left Wednesday interest rates unchanged at 5.25% for the fifth time running based on “firmer economic growth” with the economy “likely to expand at a moderate pace over coming quarters”.
Bush formally requests Congress extension of fast track
US President George Bush formalized Wednesday his announced request to the Democratic-led Congress to renew his fast-track authority (officially Trade Promotion Authority) for negotiating international trade agreements.
Vatican bars Bishop from Paraguayan presidential candidacy
The Vatican suspended “a divinis” Paraguayan bishop Fernando Lugo for having resigned last year to his church position to become a candidate for the presidential election of 2008.
US “watchful” of how Chavez exercises special powers
President Hugo Chavez was granted Wednesday by the National Assembly special powers during 18 months, to accelerate changes in broad areas of society and the economy by presidential decree.
Chile's President Bachelet schedules impressive tour
After returning from her summer vacation on Lake Caburgua, Chile's President Michelle Bachelet plans to embark on an impressive tour of Latin American countries to encourage regional cooperation. She will then jet off to Europe to compare notes with “sister” countries famed for their welfare states.
Lula's 4 year economic plan faces crucial negotiations
Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called Tuesday for “unity and hard work” from all leaders of the ruling coalition to ensure the quick approval of the economic package recently announced and which is the backbone of his second mandate.
OPEC's target: oil in the range of 50/55 US dollars per barrel
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, is preparing to implement another round of oil cuts beginning February first, satisfied with its decision to cut supply by 6% that has helped restore market balance.
Southern Chile's tremors traced to submarine fissure
The weeks' long tremors that have residents of Chilean Patagonia fearsome of a major earthquake can be traced to a submarine fissure and not the tectonic plaques, according to a group of scientists working in the area.
Record year for world tourism; South America up 7.2%
World tourism registered yet another record last year with 842 million arrivals, a higher than expected growth rate of 4.5% with Latinamerica consolidating its sustained growth tendency reaching 7.2%, according to United Nations figures.
Featured Analysis
All the power to the Communal centres
A new era of “maximum revolution” has arrived in Venezuela, a mix of near religious fervour and plenty of oil money, an intent under a one man rule, which President Hugo Chavez promises will create a more egalitarian society. But for every Venezuelan the question is where do they fit in this revolution?
Money reward for Japan's whaling fleet position
An anti-whaling group patrolling the Ross Sea off Antarctica is offering a 25.000 US dollars reward to any person or group that can provide coordinates of the Japanese whaling fleet operating in the area.
Last minute agreement averts British Airways full strike
British Airways averted a strike by flight attendants, reaching agreement on pay and sick leave hours before the two-day walkout was due to start Wednesday. The deal was finally nailed down after more than 120 hours of talks between the company and the Transport and General Workers' Union.
Polar First helicopter fliers land in Buenos Aires
The Polar First helicopter pilots, Jennifer Murray and Colin Bodill arrived on Sunday at the Don Torcuato airfield, north of Buenos Aires. They will stay in Argentina's capital until February 13, while the Bell helicopter is serviced.
