Stories for December 21st 2007

Friday, December 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News update

Headlines: Merry Christmas to all our readers!; Retrospective increase for holiday credits; New approach to financial planning; The newest Royal; Shearer is fastest driver caught by police; Date for your diary.
Friday, December 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Elizabeth II breaks the mark set by Queen Victoria

Elizabeth, 81, passed the mark set by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria. Her son, Prince Charles, closed in on the title of longest-waiting heir to the throne.
Friday, December 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Japan drops humpbacks from this season's whale killing

Japan announced Friday it was dropping plans to start hunting humpback whales for the first time in four decades after protests led by Australia seeking to spare the popular mammals. It is the first time that Japan has backed down over one of its whaling expeditions, which have been a longstanding strain in its relations with its Western allies.
Friday, December 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
London Metro Police cleared over killing of Brazilian citizen

No London Metropolitan Police officers will face disciplinary action over the death of Brazilian natural Jean Charles de Menezes. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) earlier cleared 11 of the 15 officers involved in the case.
Friday, December 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
C. Kirchner sends conciliatory message to the military

A new chapter of Argentina's first woman president policy of reestablishing normal relations with institutions took place Thursday on graduation day for cadets from the three military services.
Friday, December 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Argentine economy expanding at an annualized 9.4%

The Argentine economy grew a robust 9.4% in the 12 months ending in October, reported the government on Thursday. A survey of 11 analysts had forecast Argentine growth at a median of 8.9%, with estimates ranging from 8.5 to 9.8%.
Friday, December 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Europe's border-free zone expands to include 9 new states

Forty-eight hours of celebrations are taking place to mark nine new states joining a European border-free zone.
Friday, December 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Antonini allegedly knew his way around Bs. As. Casa Rosada

US-Venezuelan businessman Guido Antonini Wilson, who in August attempted to introduce to Argentina an undeclared suitcase full of cash, was reportedly seen two days later at Government House in Buenos Aires, an Argentine prosecutor said on Thursday.
Friday, December 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Petrobras finds more light oil and keeps increasing reserves

Petrobras shares rose Friday a day after Brazil's government owned oil company said it found more oil in the offshore Santos Basin. Shares rose 4.88, or 4.5%, to $112.88 in afternoon trading.
Friday, December 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Chavez proposes “oil for social services” to Caribbean region

Cuba's Raul Castro and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez presided Friday in Cuba over the opening of the fourth Petrocaribe summit which will address the region's lack of sufficient energy resources.