Stories for August 31st 2007

Friday, August 31st 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Exxon plans to leave Argentina; Shell claims “discrimination”

ExxonMobil is working with J.P. Morgan to sell its assets in Argentina including hundreds of service stations and a 200 million US dollars refinery, according to reports in the Buenos Aires press. Fuel companies in Argentina are operating under heavy government intervention.
Friday, August 31st 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Princes will head special memorial service for Lady Diana

The 10th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana in a car crash in Paris is being marked with a memorial service in London and tributes across the United Kingdom. Prince William and Prince Harry will be holding a special memorial service at the Guards' Chapel in London.
Friday, August 31st 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Eight coalitions register for Argentine presidential vote

As the deadline to register coalitions for the Argentine October 28 presidential vote expired this week, eight alliances registered, among them, the one led by first lady Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, which is widely predicted to obtain a first-round victory in the face of a highly dispersed opposition.
Friday, August 31st 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News update

Headlines:
World first for aquaculture?; Thorogood named as new Chief Executive; Headteacher is a well-travelled man; Man on bail leaves Islands; Daylight Saving.
Friday, August 31st 2007 - 21:00 UTC
WTO to investigate alleged Chinese industrial subsidies

The World Trade Organisation announced Friday it will investigate whether Chinese industrial subsidies breach international trade rules following a complaint by the United States and Mexico.
Friday, August 31st 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Raul's Cuba invites UN envoy and quietly frees political prisoners

Cuba's ambassador to the Unite Nations Juan Antonio Fernández Palacios said Friday that the country is ready to resume co-operation with the UN on human rights, given the changes that have taken place in the organization.
Friday, August 31st 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Magallanes Region has the lowest unemployment in Chile, 2.4%

Magallanes and Porvenir in Tierra del Fuego respectively were the Chilean region and city with the lowest unemployment rate in the May-July quarter, according to the latest release from the national Statistics Institute (INE).
Friday, August 31st 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Most powerful woman blasts credit and risk rating agencies

German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaking in Tokyo criticized credit ratings agencies for not spotting companies with problems amid the current market instability. German banks have been the worst hit in Europe so far by the problems linked to the US sub-prime mortgage crisis.
Friday, August 31st 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Wheat prices at all times record soar to 8 dollars per bushel

Wheat prices on Friday surged more than 6% to a fresh all-time high driven by thin global supplies and heavy export demand. The sharp price increase, which came on top of the 5% jump on Thursday, reinforced fears of a spike in food inflation as industry begins to pass the costs on to consumers.
Friday, August 31st 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Britain marks 10th anniversary of Princess Diana death

Prince Harry has told a service to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, that she was “the best mother in the world”. Family and friends this Friday joined Princes William and Harry for the service at Guards' Chapel near Buckingham Palace.