Stories for October 3rd 2007

Wednesday, October 3rd 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Incipient political dialogue between US and Venezuela

Top diplomats from Venezuela and United States held talks aimed at improving relations, discussing a possible visit to Caracas by Washington's leading envoy for the Americas. Relations between the two countries have been tense for years.
Wednesday, October 3rd 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Argentina closer to an agreement on Paris Club debt

Argentina is considering submitting a report on its economic program to the International Monetary Fund to help unblock negotiations on its 6.3 billion US dollars debt with the Paris Club, a government official said yesterday.
Wednesday, October 3rd 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Business newspapers on website for free competition

Pearson, the world's largest education publisher announced this week it was partially opening up free access to its Financial Times newspaper as it adopted a new online business model.
Wednesday, October 3rd 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Setback for Argentina in international energy dispute

The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in Washington, D.C., has awarded Sempra Energy approximately 172 million US dollars, including interest, to settle a 2002 dispute involving the company's 43% ownership in two Argentine natural gas holding companies, Sodigas Pampeana and Sodigas Sur.
Wednesday, October 3rd 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Argentina announces “discouragement letter” to Billinton

Argentina announced a “formal protest” before the United Kingdom for having extended hydrocarbons exploration and production licences to the east and south of the Falkland Islands. The Foreign Affairs Ministry also anticipated “discouragement letters” to the companies involved reported the Buenos Aires press Tuesday evening.
Wednesday, October 3rd 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Chile: Giant predatory Humboldt squid threatens hake

An invasion of predatory Humboldt squid into northern Pacific waters is decimating hake catches in the Pacific Ocean, including along Chile's coast. This is the conclusion of an extensive study carried out over 19 years by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI).
Wednesday, October 3rd 2007 - 21:00 UTC
India's Mittal takes leading control of Argentine steel industry

ArcelorMittal the world's largest steel group announced plans to offer 542 million US dollars to take over Argentina's Acindar and increase its presence in Latinamerica.
Wednesday, October 3rd 2007 - 21:00 UTC
First production contract for Royal Navy's new carriers

Britain awarded this week the first contract for the new equipment that will be fitted to the 65,000 tonne aircraft carriers Ministry of Defence has announced it is to order.
Wednesday, October 3rd 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Falklands' new oil partner: global leader in resources

BHP Billiton which this week announced it had acquired an interest in 14 exploration and production licenses offshore the Falkland Islands is a leading global leader in the diversified resources industry with an annual turnover of 47.5 billion US dollars in fiscal 2007.
Wednesday, October 3rd 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Good prospects for Mercosur wheat, corn and soy crops

Weather conditions are improving in Mercosur main farm areas helping advance optimistic prospects for the 2007/08 harvests. In Argentina the wheat crop is predicted to reach 14 million tons while corn and sunflower planted areas are expected to increase significantly.