Stories for December 2006

Saturday, December 2nd 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Sterling closing in on US$2 mark

Sterling moved tantalizingly close to the US$2 level yesterday after the pound hit a 14-year high for a second day against a battered dollar, as the prospect of a narrowing US interest rate gap haunted the greenback.
Saturday, December 2nd 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Paraguay: Killers of kidnapped of daughter of former president sentenced

A court on Friday sentenced two leaders of a radical leftist group to 25 years in jail for the kidnapping and murder of a former president's daughter, a spokeswoman said.
Saturday, December 2nd 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Argentina: First ever Rural Society strike

The Argentine Rural Society announced yesterday that it is joining the week-long lockout that begins midnight tonight that has been called by two of the country's major farming organizations.
Friday, December 1st 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Calderón between the devil and the deep blue see.

Mexican President Felipe Calderón, who took office on Friday, faces a tough challenge to ensure governability, caught between a party which accuses him of stealing the election and another one which would make him pay very dearly its eventual support.
Friday, December 1st 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Penguin News Update

Headlines:
Norma collects her medal from the Queen; AG: ?Offences couldn't be ignored'; Vandalism spree lands man in jail; Princess Ann to visit; This week's cruisers; ?Aldo' injured in Lebanon; Penguin News out early.
Friday, December 1st 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Mexican President Takes Office Amid Protests

Felipe Calderon took charge of Mexico's presidential residence Friday in an unusual midnight ceremony, getting a head start on opponents trying to block his inauguration.
Friday, December 1st 2006 - 20:00 UTC
International oil market in reshuffling process

Oil Petroleum Exporting Countries president Edmund Daukoru said Friday that the group is likely to cut production by at least half a million barrels a day. The specific amount will be decided at the OPEC meeting next December 14th in Nigeria.
Friday, December 1st 2006 - 20:00 UTC
China planning third Antarctic permanent station

China has decided to build a third permanent research station in the Antarctic and refurbish its two existing stations to upgrade science facilities on the continent, reports Xinhua, the country's official news agency.
Friday, December 1st 2006 - 20:00 UTC
World Bank: China's 10% poorest situation has worsened

China must concentrate on social security and welfare programs now that it has advanced in achieving a reduction in poverty, said the World Bank Friday.
Friday, December 1st 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Uruguay cancels all debts with the IMF

Uruguay has paid off its full debt of some 1.09 billion US dollars to the International Monetary Fund, “which will grant the country greater financial autonomy” according to Central Bank sources.