Stories for January 2008

Thursday, January 17th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Bolivia's Morales and rebel governors agree to seek compromise

Divided Bolivia took a tentative step toward reconciliation as President Evo Morales and opposition governors agreed to seek a compromise between Morales' new constitution and declarations of autonomy by four resource rich eastern states.
Thursday, January 17th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Chile summons ambassador in Lima over limit dispute

Chile summoned home its ambassador to Peru for consultations amid a growing dispute over the countries maritime boundary and lucrative fishing grounds. Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley said Ambassador Cristian Barros was due in Santiago Thursday or Friday “for a long conversation”.
Thursday, January 17th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Whalers hand militant conservationists to Australian officials

Japanese whalers are praising the Australian government for its help to resolve a stand-off with militant conservationists in Antarctic waters. The whalers handed over the Australian and British protesters to Australian officials overnight
Thursday, January 17th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
KO Merrill Lynch rescued by Kuwait, Korea, Saudi & others

Wall Street banking giant Merrill Lynch unveiled on Thursday a huge net loss of 7.8 billion US dollars for 2007, compared to a net profit of 7.5 billion in 2006. The loss includes a massive 14.1 billion write-down on failed investments related to sub-prime mortgages.
Thursday, January 17th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Fed support for “quick” stimulus support package

Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke on Thursday backed the introduction of emergency economic measures aimed at helping the US economy avoid recession.
Wednesday, January 16th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
HMS Endurance breaks ice North of James Ross Island

HMS ENDURANCE breaking through the ice North of James Ross Island, the ship is currently transferring scientist to Mount Haddington where they will be carrying out ice drilling for the next 2 months.
Wednesday, January 16th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Chile fragile energy situation and new dams controversy

Ed. Note: This opinion piece, which first appeared in the Chilean daily La Tercera, gives the background to Chile's looming energy problems and then proceeds to pitch the line that is touted by Chile's media and business establishment: “build dams in Chile's water-rich Patagonia area to solve the energy problem; build the HidroAysen project.” 'HidroAysen' is joint venture involving Spanish-Italian electricity giant Endesa and Chilean energy company Colbún.
Wednesday, January 16th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
OPEC: no oil shortage; investors abandoning US dollar

OPEC is ready to increase its output if the fundamentals of supply and demand justify such a move, but does not believe there is a current shortage of oil in the market, the cartel's secretary-general Abdallah el-Badri said on Wednesday.
Wednesday, January 16th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Brazil extends one billion US dollars credit to Cuba

Cuban leader Fidel Castro is lucid and healthy enough to resume a political role in Cuba, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Tuesday at the end of a 24 hours visit to the island during which ten bilateral agreements were signed.
Wednesday, January 16th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Fossilized skull of largest rodent found in Uruguay

The fossilized skull of the largest rodent ever recorded has been described by scientists for the first time. The remains of the one-ton beast, found in Uruguay, indicate that it would have been as big as a bull.