Stories for January 2008

Monday, January 14th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Guatemalan president promises democracy with “Mayan face”

Guatemala's Alvaro Colom was sworn in as president Monday, vowing to fight violent crime and empower the impoverished indigenous population in a social democracy with a “Mayan face”. With a population of 13 million, 45% ethnic Mayan, more than six million Guatemalans live below the poverty line of one US dollar per day.
Sunday, January 13th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Ecuador's Tungurahua Volcano Spews Rocks, Ash

Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano on Saturday hurled fiery rocks and sent a column of ash and steam 1 1/2 miles above its crater. Experts have warned that Tungurahua is poised for a major eruption within a matter of days or weeks.
Sunday, January 13th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Argentine flight delays spark passenger violence

Frustrated passengers smashed ticket counters and threw objects at airline staff at Argentina's main airport on Saturday after the country's flagship airline canceled international flights for a second day.
Sunday, January 13th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Uruguay calls on Argentina to stop bridge blocking

The Uruguayan government called on Argentina yesterday to “stop” demonstrators who have been blocking the General Artigas international bridge that connects the two countries.
Sunday, January 13th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Brazil yellow fever: Gov. has launched a vaccination campaign

The Brazilian Government has launched a vaccination campaign after the health ministry confirmed that a man in the capital Brasilia died from yellow fever.
Sunday, January 13th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Falkland's London office celebrates 25th birthday

THE Falkland Islands Government Office (FIGO) in London celebrates its 25th birthday next week, making it one of the longest established UK OverseasTerritories offices.
Sunday, January 13th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Australians arrive in NZ by kayak after 62 days

Two Australians have become the first people to paddle to New Zealand across the Tasman Sea in a kayak.
Sunday, January 13th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Western Antarctica ice sheet shrinking at accelerated pace

Western Antarctica and the Antarctic Peninsula have lost billons of tons of the continent's ice mass which means the Antarctic ice sheet is shrinking and at a rate that has increased dramatically between 1996 and 2006 according to a report published in the latest edition of Nature Geoscience.
Sunday, January 13th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Chile becoming UK's fastest growing wine supplier

Chile became in 2007 Britain's sixth supplier of wines and ahead of Spain for the first time according to the market analysis agency AC Nielsen.
Sunday, January 13th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
IMF sees US economy avoiding a recession and praises the Fed

The International Monetary Fund sees the US economy avoiding recession, despite financial sector turmoil and a housing sector slump. IMF praises actions taken by the US Federal Reserve as “supportive and timely”.