Stories for May 21st 2008
US monetary policy appears appropriately calibrated, says Fed
The US Federal Reserve injected 75 billion US dollars liquidity into the banking system on Tuesday but a monetary “pause” in the near future is possible as the central bank's interest-rate reductions take effect.
Farmers' conflict: all seems ready for talks to begin Thursday
Argentine farmers and government will most probably resume negotiations on Thursday while tomorrow details of the meeting will be jointly agreed according to sources from the Ministry of Economy and published in the Buenos Aires press.
World trade talks boosted by new “negotiating texts”
World Trade Organization Director General Pascal Lamy said on Tuesday that the negotiating documents put forward this week on agriculture and industrial goods trade proved a platform for intensified work in the coming weeks.
Chile and Uruguay most “peaceful” countries in region
Chile and Uruguay lead Latinamerican countries in the Global Peace Index, GPI, while Colombia and Venezuela figure as the most violent in the region according to the 2008 GPI released this week in London and which ranks 140 nations according to their relative states of peace.
Petrobras third largest traded corp. in the Americas
Brazil's government managed oil corporation Petrobras said on Tuesday that according to media reports it is now the third-largest publicly-traded company in the Americas.
Catholic Church “perceives” growing poverty in Argentina
Bishop Jorge Casaretto, head of the Argentine Catholic Church Social Pastoral Committee said that perception at the moment ”is that poverty (in Argentina) is increasing”. The statement contradicts a recent Argentine government report indicating that poverty had fallen to 20.7% in the second half of 2007 compared to the previous 23.4%.
Petrobras orders revive Brazil's shipbuilding industry
Brazil's government managed corporation Petrobras announced plans to order 40 drilling ships and platforms worth an estimated 30 billion US dollars for delivery by 2017. The deep-water drilling ships and semi-submersible rigs will explore for oil and gas in seas up to three kilometers deep.
French aid package to fishermen striking over fuel prices
The French government has offered the fishing industry 110 million Euros after days of protests by fishermen over rising fuel costs. The president of the national fishing committee has called on crews to return to work.
Chilean 6.000 kmts coastline to become whales' sanctuary
Chile's coastline is to become a whales sanctuary announced on Wednesday Chilean president Michelle Bachelet in her annual state of the country address to Congress.
Argentina, Brazil and Chile voted into Human Rights Council
Argentina, Brazil and Chile figure among the 15 members elected on Wednesday to the Human Rights Council while Spain, Sri Lanka and Timor did not muster sufficient votes.
