Stories for July 2008

Friday, July 4th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Seoul government cornered by US beef triggered crisis

South Korea's president called for an end to an on going dispute over United States beef imports, saying it was time for the nation to concentrate on overcoming domestic and economic difficulties.
Friday, July 4th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Brazil begins process to renew entire fleet of fighter jets

Brazil launched the process to buy at least 36 fighter jets as part of a broader plan to modernize its Air Force and in keeping with neighbors that are also in the process of overhauling their fleets.
Friday, July 4th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
June inflation in Chile is the highest in 17 years: 1.5%

Chile's Consumer Prices Index rose 1.5% in June accumulating 4.3% in the first half of the year according to the latest release from the country's Statistics Office. This is the highest June inflation since June 1991 (1.8%) and the highest monthly since October 1993 (2.6%).
Friday, July 4th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
China/Taiwan regular direct flights break 60 year ban

The first regular, direct flight from mainland China to Taiwan for nearly 60 years landed on Friday at the capital Taipei's airport. China's top official on Taiwan affairs said the flight was “a new start” in exchanges between Taipei and Beijing.
Friday, July 4th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Record sale of cars and farm machinery in booming Brazil

The Brazilian automobile industry produced and sold a record number of new vehicles in the first half of 2008, with flex-fuel cars leading the surge according to the auto manufacturers' association, Anfavea, said on Friday.
Thursday, July 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Forbes ranks Chile as tops in Latam in business

Forbes Magazine this week ranked Chile as the best Latin America country for doing business. Chile ranked 19th among all the world's countries, up nine notches compared to last year. Mexico ranked 43rd, Uruguay 44th.
Thursday, July 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Benchmark sentence for high ranking Pinochet era officer

A Chilean judge sentenced the former secret intelligence chief for General Augusto Pinochet to two life terms for the 1974 murder of Carlos Prat, former commander in chief of the Chilean Army, and his wife, Sofia Cuthbert. They were killed when a bomb placed under their car exploded as they returned home to their apartment in Buenos Aires.
Thursday, July 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Euro zone hikes basic rate to 4.25%; oil at new record

The European Central Bank hiked on Thursday its key rate 25 points to 4.25%. This is the first rise in a year and is geared to contain food and fuel prices that in June reached an annualized 4%, the highest since 1996.
Thursday, July 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
UK Defence £ 3 billion contracts for two new aircraft carriers

Britain's Ministry of Defence signed this week contracts to build two future aircraft carriers, to be named HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince Of Wales, the biggest and most powerful surface warships ever constructed in the UK.
Thursday, July 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Argentina exports 4.124 tons of ovine meat in five months

During the first five months of 2008, lamb and mutton exports from Argentina totaled 4.124 tons equivalent to 15.1 million US dollars which represents a 5% increase in volume and 19% in value, according to the latest statistics from SENASA, the Agro-food health and quality service.