Stories for October 18th 2007

Thursday, October 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Bill Gates anticipates voice-text-video integration revolution

Computer giant Microsoft is getting into the telephone business. Chairman Bill Gates was in San Francisco for the official launch of software linking a person's phone, computer and other communications devices.
Thursday, October 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Increased Bolivian gas exports to Argentina in doubt

Bolivia may delay ramping up natural gas exports to Argentina by a year while it increases production to meet its contractual commitments, the country's energy minister announced this week.
Thursday, October 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Brazil optimistic about an agreement on the Doha round

World trade talks are progressing and appear to be edging close to a deal, Brazil's ambassador to the United States said on Wednesday. In Pretoria a summit of presidents from host South Africa, Brazil and India seemed to confirm expectations.
Thursday, October 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Air Comet becomes Chile's second largest domestic carrier

Air Comet Chile, known until recently as Aerolíneas del Sur, is now the largest domestic carrier after LAN Chile, with 18% of the market. The figure represents a 10% increase in market-share in just under a year.
Thursday, October 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Brazil's Central Bank adopts “wait and see” monetary policy

Brazil's Central Bank left this week the October reference interest rate, Selic, unchanged at 11.25%, putting an end to a monetary policy distention which begun over two years ago.
Thursday, October 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Latam lagging in universal and quality education says WB

Most countries in Latin American and the Caribbean have achieved almost universal primary school coverage and boosted enrollment rates in secondary and tertiary education. Average spending on education reached 4.3% of GDP in 2003, up from 2.7% in 1990 reveals a World Bank, (WB) report released this week.
Thursday, October 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Growing controversy with IMF over Argentina's inflation

Inflationary pressures are building in Argentina and there is room for further interest rate increases, a senior IMF official said Wednesday. The warning follows statements earlier in the week by outgoing IMF Managing Director Rodrigo Rato.
Thursday, October 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Taiana confirms Argentina's claim over Antarctic seabed

Argentina is collecting information and preparing presentations for seabed claims in the South Atlantic and Antarctica confirmed this week Foreign Affairs minister Jorge Taiana.
Thursday, October 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
The US dollar faces and “extended period of decline”

The US dollar is in the midst of an extended period of decline which is forecasted to continue until the third quarter of next year according to the US Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI quarterly forecast.
Thursday, October 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Four groups after ESSO assets in South America

Brazil's Petrobras, Venezuela's PDVSA and two Argentine groups are interested in acquiring US oil coporation Esso assets in South America, reports El Cronista, a business newspaper from Buenos Aires.