Stories for December 2003 , page 4

Saturday, December 20th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Falklands Councillors deplore Argentina's “bullying and threatening” tactics.

All eight elected members of the Falkland Islands Government condemned what they called, 'Argentina's bullying and threatening tactics' during a meeting of the Legislature on Friday.

Saturday, December 20th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Bolivia insists in access to the Pacific.

Bolivia's caretaker president Carlos Mesa said in Montevideo that his landlocked nation will never give up its claim to at least a piece of the Pacific coastline lost to Chile following the Pacific war of 1879. Mr. Mesa also appealed to Brazil to use its diplomatic influence to help resolve the dispute.

Saturday, December 20th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Another victory for Lula da Silva.

The Brazilian Senate approved this week another crucial piece of legislation for the Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva administration, an overhaul of the taxing system in one the world's countries with most uneven wealth distribution.

Saturday, December 20th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Record low inflation in the US.

The United States consumer price index dropped 0,2% last November bringing the annual rate of underlying inflation to 1,1%, the lowest since 1966, according to the latest Commerce Department release.

Saturday, December 20th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

UK interest rate remains unchanged: 3,75%

The Bank of England left interest rates unchanged at 3,75% during the December meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee but suggestions of an increase in the near future seem certain.

Saturday, December 20th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

US-Central America free trade treaty

Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua reached this week a free trade agreement with the United States, reported the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in Washington.

Friday, December 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Penguin News Update.

Headlines:
Handing over command; Director looks forward to New Year change; Visiting officials' passports must be stamped; Forbes v FIG; Ships cruising in.

Friday, December 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Lula defies economic critics with policy defence.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made a resounding defence on Thursday of orthodox economic policies during his first year as Brazil's president, in spite of the worst performance of the economy in at least five years.

Friday, December 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Argentina attacks IMF loan delay

Néstor Kirchner, Argentina's president, yesterday attacked the International Monetary Fund for the second time in a week after the IMF suggested it would postpone a $330m (?268m, £188m) disbursement that had been expected before Christmas.

Friday, December 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Patagonian toothfish fishery suspended

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Undersecretary has suspended the fishery of Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) as a target species in national waters, after this year's 4,800 tonne TAC was fulfilled.