Stories for December 6th 2007

Thursday, December 6th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Chavez expected in Buenos Aires and Mercosur summit

Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez has confirmed he will be in Buenos Aires for next Monday's taking office ceremony of elected Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and a week later he will be back in the River Plate but in Montevideo for the Mercosur presidential summit.
Thursday, December 6th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Inflation's political and social impact rattles Beijing

China said Wednesday it would tighten monetary policy in 2008 for the first time in a decade, as it battles to rein in a soaring stock market and an overheated economy. The shift from “prudent” to “tight” is a move analysts consider “significant”, but no major details to support the announcement were delivered.
Thursday, December 6th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Steve Irwin becomes battle name against Japanese whaling

A conservation group that has vowed to disrupt Japan's annual whale hunt launched its Antarctic campaign Wednesday by renaming one of its ships after “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin, the late environmental campaigner.
Thursday, December 6th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
In a rare interview Kirchner anticipates “much better times”

President Nestor Kirchner, credited with leading Argentina out of an economic meltdown after his 2003 election, said Wednesday in a rare television interview that his president-elect wife would have a “much better” administration than his.
Thursday, December 6th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Cheap flights petition for Falklands War vets to visit Islands

A FORMER British Paratrooper is petitioning the Prime Minister to allow Falklands War veterans to visit the islands using the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence low cost 'Indulgence' flight system.
Thursday, December 6th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Desire Petroleum closer to drilling in Falklands' tranches

Desire Petroleum plc (AIM:DES) is pleased to announce that Wavefield InSeis ASA has completed the full site survey programme on Tranches C, I and L as planned. The entire survey was successfully acquired in 6 days with no weather downtime.
Thursday, December 6th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Bank of England cuts rate to 5.5% on slow growth concern

The Bank of England announced Thursday a 25 points cut in the key interest rate from 5.75 to 5.5% following on fears of a slowing UK economy. The decision came as the BoE tried to strike a balance between rising inflation and further evidence that the housing boom is slowing and consumer confidence deteriorating.
Thursday, December 6th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
UN calls on Brazil to improve justice administration

During a three-day visit to Brazil that wrapped up Wednesday the top United Nations human rights official praised the South American country's recent accomplishments in that realm but pointed out that other obstacles remain.
Thursday, December 6th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Bush announces plan to shield vulnerable homeowners

United States President George W Bush outlined plans on Thursday to freeze rates on sub-prime mortgages for five years to help people hit by the US housing market crisis.
Thursday, December 6th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Uruguay fisheries exports to reach 196 million dollars

Uruguay fisheries exports in 2007 are expected to reach 196 million US dollars, according to the latest estimates from Daniel Montiel, head of the National Directorate of Aquatic Resources.