Stories for December 12th 2006

Tuesday, December 12th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Norovirus again attacks largest cruise vessel

The world's largest cruise ship, Freedom of the Seas, was unexpectedly forced to spend two additional days in Miami getting the most comprehensive cleaning yet after returning to port last Sunday with sick passengers for the second consecutive cruise.
Tuesday, December 12th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Asbestos forces Gateway closure at Brize Norton

The accommodation facility at RAF Brize Norton, Gateway House which is available to all passengers travelling on scheduled flights, including twice weekly to the Falkland Islands, has been closed while suspected asbestos contamination is investigated.
Tuesday, December 12th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Chile slaps 12 months 23% levy on Argentine milk

Chile's Distortions Committee extended this week for twelve months a 23% safeguard levy on Argentine milk and Gouda cheese imports to protect Chilean dairy farmers.
Tuesday, December 12th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Chile looses wheat safeguards case with Argentina

Chile is preparing to appeal a World Trade Organization ruling which states that the price band system applied to safeguard Chilean farmers from Argentine imports of wheat, wheat flour and edible vegetal oil is not compatible with WTO regulations.
Tuesday, December 12th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Federal Reserve leaves rates unchanged at 5.25%

Judging that some inflation risks remain and also factors “restraining aggregate demand”, the Federal Open Market Committee from the Federal Reserve, chaired by Ben Bernanke decided Tuesday to leave interest rates unchanged at 5.25%.
Tuesday, December 12th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Over 60 and left wing, “something is wrong with you”

Brazilian president Luiz Lula da Silva announced Tuesday that he no longer belongs to the “left” and with the passing of time his political positions have moved further to the center.
Tuesday, December 12th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Upgrade job for naval repair ship RFA Diligence

Birkenhead based Northwestern Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders has won a £16million contract to upgrade naval repair ship RFA Diligence which has seen service all over the world including the Falkland Islands.
Tuesday, December 12th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Chávez: more bark than bite

By Guillermo Hánskel

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez is spearheading a Socialist revolution throughout Latin America with a wallet full of petrodollars, but his real influence has been overestimated, with key economies Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and others unimpressed by his fiery anti-US preaching.
Tuesday, December 12th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Pulp mills controversy

By Dr. Wayne Dwernychuk

Much confusion exists regarding the proposed Uruguay pulp mills near Fray Bentos and, unfortunately, it would appear the public is continually being fed misleading and erroneous information regarding the environmental impacts of these mills. Regular press articles say the same thing ... “the mills will cause irreparable damage to the environment, fisheries and tourism”. This simply is not so. Such condemnations are not based on scientific fact, and should not form the basis for discord between two countries.