Stories for December 2006

Saturday, December 16th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Top Chilean General removed for praising Pinochet

The aftermath of General Augusto Pinochet's funeral, and legacy, continue to reverberate in Chilean politics and the Chilean Armed Forces: the General responsible for the Metropolitan Santiago area, one of the country's most important was sacked Friday following statements on support of the 1973 military coup and praise for the dictator.
Saturday, December 16th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
First ever Spanish airliner lands in Gibraltar

An Airbus 319 from Iberia became Saturday December 16 the first ever Spanish airline to fly to Gibraltar signaling an event that after decades of tension Spain, Britain and Gibraltar are finally overcoming a centennial sovereign dispute by concentrating on cooperation and development.
Saturday, December 16th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Pulp mill conflict widens Mercosur rift

Escalating mutual recriminations and complaints between Argentina and Uruguay signaled the first day of deliberations at the Mercosur ministerial meeting in Brasilia in the same week that the group officially inaugurated its Parliament.
Saturday, December 16th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Argentina and Brazil promote bilateral trade

Argentina and Brazil signed in Brasilia a protocol for a bilateral trade payments system in local currencies which gradually eliminates the US dollar helping to reduce goods and services transactions costs.
Saturday, December 16th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
London sq ft can reach as much as 5.860 US dollars

Brimming with posh stores and elegant shoppers, New York City has always held a certain cachet. But there is something that the US's largest city can no longer claim: the world's most expensive residences.
Friday, December 15th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Penguin News Update

Headlines: A close shave for cash; Status: to have and to hold?; De-mining study; Attorney General's shock resignation; This week's cruise visits; New Playground to open; Legislative Council meets today; Get ready for the Raft Race.
Friday, December 15th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Oil Price climbs after Opec agrees output cut

Oil gained more than a dollar on Thursday after Opec decided to cut its output by two per cent from February.
Friday, December 15th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
US/Venezuela address after-election “new reality”

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro met U.S. ambassador William Brownfield, seeking to ease years of diplomatic tension as President Hugo Chavez prepares to begin a second, six-year term.
Thursday, December 14th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
“Fantastic” US/Argentina bilateral relations

United States Under Secretary for Latinamerica Tom Shannon described US/Argentina relations are “fantastic” during a seminar where two former Latinamerican Foreign Affairs ministers criticized President Nestor Kirchner for his “left wing populism”.
Thursday, December 14th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
EU leaders set to toughen membership conditions

European leaders will seek to reassure sceptical voters at a summit starting on Thursday by toughening policy on enlargement of the European Union, without though slamming the door on a queue of aspiring nations.