Stories for January 4th 2007

Thursday, January 4th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
2006 exports rocket to record high. EU is CODELCO chief importer

Chile's exports ÃÂ¢€“ at least in terms of dollar amounts ÃÂ¢€” rose dramatically in 2006, fueled in large part by record high copper prices.
Thursday, January 4th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Brazil buys half of Argentina's growing rice exports

Argentina in the first ten months of 2006 exported 376.000 tons of rice valued at 98 million dollars US dollars, half of which to Mercosur partner Brazil, which is also its main trading partner.
Thursday, January 4th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Petrobras joins the 100 billion dollars select club

Brazil's mostly government owned oil corporation Petrobras celebrated this week its entry to the select group of world companies with a market value over 100 billion US dollars.
Thursday, January 4th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Maradona upset with Boca over Bush daughters

Argentina's top football star Diego Maradona said he's feeling a “bit distant” from his heart team Boca Juniors and criticized the club's president Mauricio Macri for having presented the visiting daughters of US President George Bush with the team's colors.
Thursday, January 4th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Chile's 2006 inflation peaked at 2.6%

Chile's Consumer Prices Index, IPC, ended at 2.6% in 2006 with a last 0.1% push from December, according to the latest release from the country's Statistics Institute, INE.
Thursday, January 4th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
“Democrats are back” and keeping to their pledges

After twelve years of undisputed Republican majority in the United States Congress, opposition Democrats on Thursday took control of both houses with Representative Nancy Pelosi becoming the first female speaker ever in the House.
Thursday, January 4th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Chavez full ahead with his Socialist model project

Venezuelan re-elected President Hugo Chavez dismissed Thursday his longtime confidant Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel and former Minister of Interior Jesse Chacón promising to complete his new cabinet by next Wednesday when he takes office for a six year mandate extending until 2013.
Thursday, January 4th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Cuba reaches 50% self sufficiency in oil consumption

Cuba reached its target of 3.9 million tons of oil and gas in 2006, while foreign companies in association with the local Cubapetroleo, CUPET, corporation continue exploration in 30 other wells, reported Havana authorities.
Thursday, January 4th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Penguin News Update

Headlines:
Quiet farewell for local hero; Royal programme revealed; New Year's Honours; Planning begins for ferry terminals,
Cruise ships this week.