Stories for February 2008

Thursday, February 28th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
France warns FARC on Betancourt's fragile condition

France warned on Thursday that French-Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt may have only weeks to live, after fellow captives released by Colombia's FARC guerrillas said her health was failing rapidly.
Thursday, February 28th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Fearing inflation China tightens credit and absorbs liquidity

China's Central Bank cautioned it's ready to raise the interest rate as early as late March to check inflation, which may surge as high as 8.7% in the twelve months to February. As a consequence of the recent blizzards that destroyed crops, food prices this month could jump 6 to 7 percentage points over January.
Wednesday, February 27th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Fed minutes reveal differences on interest rates cuts

Nine of Federal Reserve directors thought continued deterioration in financial markets and weakened economic conditions in the housing and labor markets needed the half percentage point cut to the discount rate last month.
Wednesday, February 27th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Quake shakes Britain, second largest since 1984

An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale shook England early on Wednesday morning.
Wednesday, February 27th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Venezuela May Begin FARC Hostage Rescue today

Venezuela has said it is ready to recover four hostages held by Colombian rebels, in the second release deal brokered by the government of Hugo Chavez this year.
Wednesday, February 27th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
New Cuban president meets with top Vatican official

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone met with newly-affirmed Cuban leader Raul Castro just two days after the ageing dictator Fidel Castro relinquished power.
Wednesday, February 27th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Half of the world population lives in urban areas says UN

By the end of this year, half of the world's 6.7 billion people will live in urban areas, according to a report unveiled by the United Nations on Tuesday, which also predicts that future growth of the world's urban population will be concentrated in Asia and Africa.
Wednesday, February 27th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
“OPEC should not lower output”, with current oil prices

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) should not interfere with production quotas at its meeting on March 5 if prices remain at their current levels, said Rilwanu Lukman, oil adviser to the President of Nigeria. Oil prices this week hovered in the range of 100 US dollars a barrel.
Tuesday, February 26th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Union of S. American Nations ready for launching

The presidential summit for the launching of the Union of South American nations, Unasur, will take place March 28/29 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, said Colombian Foreign Affairs minister Fernando Araujo.
Tuesday, February 26th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Obama and Latam: change with risks of lack of experience

With United States Senator Barack Obama leading in the number of delegates for the nomination of presidential candidate for the Democrats, some Latinamerican experts are looking into his knowledge of the region and trying to guess what awaits this region.