Stories for February 20th 2008

Wednesday, February 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
State of emergency in Peru following farmers' protests

The Peruvian government declared a state of emergency in several coastal provinces after a farmers' protest left at least four dead and more than 700 under arrest.
Wednesday, February 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
World leaders hail Fidel's exit as chance for political change

Western leaders are hailing news of Cuban President Fidel Castro's plans to retire as an opportunity for political change in the island and to reestablish long frozen links.
Wednesday, February 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Venezuela and Exxon still distant but seem willing to negotiate

Venezuela agreed on Tuesday to compensate Eni of Italy 700 million US dollars in cash for the takeover of an oil field but warned that Exxon Mobil Corp nationalized assets are worth less than a billion US dollars, far below what the US company is seeking.
Wednesday, February 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Additional cuts to British fishing patrols announced

The British government will make new cuts in the number of Royal Navy patrols that protect British waters from illegal fishing, a move that conservationists warn could cause illegal fishing to skyrocket.
Wednesday, February 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Successful dolphin rescue in Falklands 'suspect area'

FALKLANDS Conservation were able to put their Marine Mammal Rescue skills into practice when a young Peale's Dolphin became stranded in an area still considered 'suspect' since the 1982 War.
Wednesday, February 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Climate change promotes shift to “green economies”

More and more companies are embracing environmentally-friendly policies and investors are pumping hundreds of billions of dollars into cleaner and renewable energies, according to a new publication released Wednesday by the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP.
Wednesday, February 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Argentina turns down Kosovo fearing Malvinas claim impact

Argentina will not recognise the newly independent Kosovo fearing this could have an undesired influence in the country's dispute with Great Britain over its unflagging Malvinas/Falkland Islands sovereignty claim, according to Wednesday's Buenos Aires press.
Wednesday, February 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
UK unveils new plan for foreigners to “earn” nationality

Details of a new deal for foreigners who want to take British citizenship are being announced by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. A Green Paper will propose that people who want to take UK nationality will have to prove a number of new requirements, and “earn” their citizenship.
Wednesday, February 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Uruguay's energy situation “delicate but not critical”

Uruguay's energy situation is “delicate, but not critical”, however demand is higher than estimated and water reserves although sufficient are not being replenished as would be desirable admitted the country's head of the government owned electricity corporation.
Wednesday, February 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Raul Castro asks Lula da Silva help with transition process

Cuba's interim president Raul Castro requested advise and help from Brazil's Luis Inacio Lula da Silva “to accelerate the political and economic transition process” in the island according to Wednesday edition of the prestigious Folha de Sao Paulo.