Stories for February 2007

Tuesday, February 20th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Europeans prefer “relaxed and optimistic” Spain to work

Spain has become the most popular destination for Europeans thinking of working abroad, ahead of the UK according to a Financial Times/Harris poll taken in five European countries.
Tuesday, February 20th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Venezuelan cheap fuel for 250.000 London bus users

London's Mayor Ken Livingstone signed an oil deal with Venezuela providing cheap fuel for London's buses and giving cut price travel for those on benefits, reports the BBC.
Tuesday, February 20th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Australia's summer crop production slashed 60%

Australia's summer crop production is forecast to fall by nearly 60% in 2006-07 as most of the main growing areas in southern Queensland, northern New South Wales and the Riverina remain in the grip of drought, the February issue of ABARE (Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics) Australian Crop Report reveals.
Tuesday, February 20th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Morales: “My job is to take care of the poor”

Bolivian President Evo Morales vowed to continue what he called his ''peaceful, democratic revolution'' and insisted that his job “is to take care of the poor”.
Sunday, February 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Peru intent on austerity, to auction a “frivolity symbol”

The Peruvian government has decided to auction the presidential aircraft as part of its austerity policy announced cabinet chief Jorge del Castillo. Earlier in the week President Alan García described the aircraft as a “frivolity symbol”.
Sunday, February 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
“Good” but no so good season for Punta Arenas hotels

The number of hotel bookings and passengers this season in Punta Arenas has not been homogeneous according to a survey among the main hotels and published in the local La Prensa Austral.
Sunday, February 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
ENAP drills for natural gas in continental Magallanes

Chile's oil corporation ENAP began drilling for natural gas last February 15 in continental Magallanes Region in an area identified as Dorado-Riquelme to the north east of Punta Arenas.
Sunday, February 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Eight thousand bus drivers threaten to paralyze Santiago

The possible strike comes only a week after the new transit system was inaugurated and caused widespread confusion and public outrage after getting off to a slow start. Fenattrans president Sergio Cifuentes said the union was protesting the government for not responding to seven requests that the union sent to the government on January 8.
Sunday, February 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
US/Colombia free trade agreement seems ever more distant

The free trade agreement which the George Bush administration signed with Colombia is stalled in the US Congress and could face further delays because of the alleged links of the Colombian President Alvaro Uribe administration with para military forces.
Sunday, February 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Inflation and shortages expose Chavez jittery economics

Faced with accelerated inflation and shortages of basic foods Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez signed decrees against speculation and hoarding which enables authorities to take over businesses that produce or retail food, if they refuse to sell or are in violation of regulated prices.