Stories for March 2008

Thursday, March 6th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Conflict with the US is “inevitable” warns President Chavez

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez said on Wednesday that a conflict with the government of United Sates is “inevitable” since it has consistently supported economically “the oligarch states of Latinamerica” that are not interested in the equality of peoples.
Thursday, March 6th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
OPEC freezes oil output and blames US for high crude prices

OPEC accused the United States on Wednesday of economic “mismanagement”, which it said is pushing oil prices to new record highs and rejected calls to increase output. Oil prices surged for the first time past 104 US dollars a barrel after OPEC's announcement and a US government release showing a surprise drop in crude stockpiles.
Thursday, March 6th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Euro zone and UK leave interest rates unchanged

The European Central Bank (ECB) kept interest rates unchanged at 4% on Thursday as concerns about inflation persist. Earlier in London the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee adopted a similar decision keeping interest rates on hold at 5.25%.
Wednesday, March 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Argentina: funds available to repair Navy's icebreaker

Argentine Defence minister Nilda Garré announced on Monday that the funds to begin repairs on the Navy's ice breaker Almirante Irizar, ravaged by fire last April, have been made available following the completion of a survey on the extent of the damages suffered.
Wednesday, March 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
CK calls for peace and confirms planned Venezuela trip

Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner called on all Latinamerican countries to ratify their “commitment to peace” in the eve of her long planned Wednesday trip to Venezuela, which together with Ecuador have militarized their borders following an incursion by Colombian forces in Ecuadorian territory to kill a FARC rebel leader.
Wednesday, March 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
FARC and France exchange veiled warning messages

The killing of Raul Reyes, spokesperson and second in command of the Colombian FARC guerrillas, during an incursion by Colombian troops in Ecuador, is a “serious blow to the possibilities of a humanitarian exchange and to a political solution to the conflict” said the rebel group in a message released on Tuesday.
Wednesday, March 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Metals war: Billiton after 55 billion loan to bid for Rio Tinto

Mining giant BHP Billiton is talking to an important group of banks for a record 55 billion US dollars loan to back its hostile bid for rival Rio Tinto, it was revealed on Tuesday by banking sources.
Wednesday, March 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Bernanke calls on bankers to prevent rise in foreclosures

The chairman of the US Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke, has said more should be done to prevent homeowners facing foreclosures unnecessarily. Bernanke warned there had been a 50% rise in foreclosures in 2007 to one and a half million, and this is expected to worsen as mortgage repayments rise.

The Fed chairman told a meeting of US bankers that the situation called for a “vigorous response”. This would help communities and the wider economy, he said.
Wednesday, March 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
OAS: no agreement on Ecuador Colombia conflict

Country members from the Organization of American States, OAS, were unable to reach a statement on the Ecuador/Colombia incident forcing the Permanent Council to suspend the emergency session until mid day Wednesday.
Wednesday, March 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Falkland Islands Holdings plc acquisition of Momart

Falkland Islands Holdings PLC (FIH) said it has acquired art logistics and storage company Momart International Ltd for £10.27 million, of which £ 7.78 million is payable in cash and the remaining through the issue of 582,666 shares.