Stories for January 14th 2008
Freed Colombian hostages condemn kidnaps as “torture”
The two Colombian hostages liberated by the cocaine funded FARC, Clara Rojas and Consuelo Gonzalez de Perdomo described the guerrilla methods as “brutal” and condemned kidnapping as a crime against humanity.
Bank of America rescues US biggest mortgage lender
One of the leading banks in United States, Bank of America is to take over the country's biggest mortgage lender Countrywide Financial, in a 4 billion US dollars deal.
Magallanes oil/gas exploration contracts ready for next March
Chile's Ministry of Mines expects to sign next March oil operating contracts with the corporations that have won licences to explore and exploit hydrocarbons in the extreme south of the country reports La Prensa Austral from Punta Arenas.
Released Colombian hostage meets baby son after three years
Released Colombian hostage Clara Rojas had an emotional reunion Sunday in Bogota with her son Emmanuel, three years after he was taken from her while she was in captivity in Colombia's jungle, according to government sources.
WTO members narrow differences in agriculture talks
The World Trade Organization's chief agriculture negotiator said that members have narrowed their differences and made “a lot of progress” in recent talks but more still needs to be done before an agreement is reached.
World rice harvest and trading heading for a record year
World rice production is projected at a record 421.2 million tons (milled basis) in 2007/08, up less than 1% from a year ago, while global rice trading is forecasted to reach 29.6 million tons, up 3%, according to the latest reports from the US Department of Agriculture.
Brazil denies yellow fever epidemic, but suggests vaccination
Brazil faces no risk of a yellow fever epidemic, despite an outbreak that killed two people last week in the capital, Health Minister Jose Gomes Temporao said in Brasilia.
Former Paraguayan general confirmed as presidential candidate
The former commander of the Paraguayan Army General Lino Cesar Oviedo who was freed from jail last September was confirmed Sunday as presidential candidate for the opposition National Union of Ethical Citizens, Unace, in the coming April general election.
Renegade spy who devoted life to expose CIA dies in Cuba
Philip Agee, the former CIA operative who broke with the agency and devoted his life to exposing its role in political subversion, assassination, torture and support for military dictatorships, died January 7 in Cuba at the age of 72. Cuban sources said that he died of peritonitis after ulcer surgery.
Goldman Sachs predicts US recession and China slowdown
Goldman Sachs Group Inc., one of the world's leading investment banking and investment management firms lowered its forecast for China's 2008 GDP growth to 10% from 10.3%, due to an expected 2008 recession in the U.S.
