Stories for February 14th 2007

Wednesday, February 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Petrobras profits slump 36% in 4Q

Brazilian state oil company Petrobras said yesterday fourth-quarter profit fell 36 percent, hit by higher production costs that its chief executive said were worrisome.
Wednesday, February 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Fiat and India's Tata to build light trucks in Argentina

Fiat and Tata announced in Milan, Italy the expansion of their strategic co-operation with their first industrial project outside India. Fiat will build a Tata bakkie (with Fiat badges) at its plant in Córdoba, Argentina, under an agreement that followed a feasibility study started in July 2006.
Wednesday, February 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Bank of England hits of new interest rates rise

The Bank of England has hinted that it is likely that interest rates will need to be increased once more to keep inflation in check, although analysts do not expect any rise to be imminent.
The Bank's latest inflation report forecasts that consumer price inflation would continue to exceed the 2% target if rates stayed at 5.25%.
Wednesday, February 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Strong stock markets reactions to Fed's forecasts

Stock markets in New York and most of Latinamerica set new record gains on Wednesday following US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke statements that the US economy should grow modestly in 2007 despite a slowdown in housing.
Wednesday, February 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
UN hails 40 anniversary of Latam nuclear-weapon-free zone

The historic pact of Latin America and the Caribbean States to maintain a nuclear-weapon-free zone, the first-ever of its kind, has withstood the test of time and should spur greater efforts to rid the world of these arms, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday in honoring the 40th anniversary of the landmark agreement.
Wednesday, February 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Where do rich countries' children fare worse? US & UK

United States and Britain ranked at the bottom of a U.N. survey of child welfare in 21 wealthy countries that assessed everything from infant mortality to whether children ate dinner with their parents or were bullied at school.
Wednesday, February 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
UN aid to 200.000 Bolivians victims of El Niño floods

In the wake of an appeal by the President of Bolivia for international assistance, United Nations agencies are stepping up aid to people in the country devastated by flooding, hail and freeze which have affected 200,000 and killed more than 20.
Wednesday, February 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Another record year for Lan with profits up 64% in 2006

Chile's flag carrier LAN Airlines announced on Wednesday net profits of 241 million US dollars in 2006, up 64.4% over the 147 million US dollars of 2005.
Wednesday, February 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Nisshin Maru Japanese whaling ship catches fire

Japanese whaling ship has caught fire near Antarctica, leaving one crew member missing and raising fears of environmental damage.