Stories for October 2007

Saturday, October 6th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Twenty years of Falklands' presence in UK Party Conferences

Falklands elected Councillors Ian Hansen and Mike Rendell have been pressing the flesh with British politicians at the Labour and Conservative party conferences.
Saturday, October 6th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Record budget surplus in Chile this year: 8.1% of GDP

Because of high copper prices, Chilean treasury officials now believe that they will end the year with a historic budget surplus of 8.1% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Saturday, October 6th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Chilean icebreaker stationed in Punta Arenas

Chile's Navy icebreaker “Almirante Viel” which is scheduled to be arriving at the end of the month, will be permanently stationed in Punta Arenas, reported this week Chilean naval authorities.
Saturday, October 6th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
PM Gordon Brown rules out autumn election

Gordon Brown has said he will not call a general election this autumn. The PM said he wanted a chance to show the country his “vision for change” and to develop his policies further.
Saturday, October 6th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Pinochet's relatives and former associates released on bail

Former General Augusto Pinochet's widow, children and former associates were provisional released on bail Saturday, two days after their arrest on corruption charges.
Friday, October 5th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News update

Headlines:
New comms deal for Camp; Drilling agreement: 'biggest oil event in 10 years'; Royal Marines on Islands exercise; Men back in court today
Friday, October 5th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates visits Chile

As part of his five-nation tour through Latin America, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates met Thursday with his Chilean counterpart José Goñi Carrasco to discuss “defense issues of common interest” and to sign a bilateral agreement.
Friday, October 5th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Soaring wheat prices cause food crises in poor countries

Up to 36 countries worldwide are facing food crises at a time when the price of wheat has hit record levels and stocks are described as worryingly low by the latest crop and food situation report published by the UN Friday.
Friday, October 5th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Brazil tightening on foreign purchase and ownership of land

Global liquidity in recent years has led to a boom, --and speculation--, in real estate and farming land in Mercosur member countries. Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay have seen land prices soar pushed by foreign buyers and now governments are reacting tightening restrictions on land ownership.
Friday, October 5th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Crucial referendum on Sunday for Costa Rica and C. America

On Sunday Costa Rica votes on a crucial free trade agreement with the United States which has the country's electorate split almost equal, according to the latest public opinion polls. The situation could be of concern for the future of Central America's most stable democracy.