Stories for April 9th 2008

Wednesday, April 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
French hostage mission to leave Colombia

France called off a humanitarian mission Tuesday to treat and possibly free ailing hostage Ingrid Betancourt after Colombian rebels said they wouldn't unilaterally release any more captives.
Wednesday, April 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Japanese Girl, 11, to cycle across South America

An 11-year-old girl from Saitama Prefecture is due to set off on a seven-month journey by bicycle across South America with her parents.
Wednesday, April 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Safety: American Airlines cancels 500 flights

American Airlines expects to cancel more flights on Wednesday after cancelling about 500 on Tuesday.
Wednesday, April 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Falklands: RM veteran 'test case' for special flights

BRYAN SIBLEY, a Corporal in the Royal Marines during the Falklands War, has become the first SAMA82 veteran to be awarded an indulgence flight to visit the Islands.
Wednesday, April 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chile and England have the highest wave energy potential

Chile is the country with the highest wave energy potential in the world, the British engineering consultant Baird & Associates reported last week. According to company officials, wave energy along Chile's coast can satisfy up to 24% of the country's energy demand in summer and 26% in winter.
Wednesday, April 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Falklands fishing licences “based on what market stands”

Falkland Islands fishing licence fees are high because “...it has always been in everyone's interest to maximise revenue; what is raised is based on what the market can stand,” Government Director of Fisheries John Barton told Mercopress Wednesday, in response to local grumbling at the possibility of another increase in loligo licence fees.
Wednesday, April 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Falklands' cruise season new record: 67.700 visitors

CRUISE ship tourism in the Falkland Islands has increased by a massive 32%.
Wednesday, April 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Brazil to promote shipbuilding and a merchant fleet

Brazil announced it will promote the country's ship building industry not only to supply vessels and oil rigs for domestic demand but to export them to the rest of Latinamerica.
Wednesday, April 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
IMF forecasts one in four chance of global recession

International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that the world economy will grow much more slowly in the next two years as a result of the credit crunch. In its latest economic forecast, the IMF says that world economic growth will slow to 3.7% in 2008 and 2009, 1.25% lower than growth in 2007.
Wednesday, April 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Patagonia: free access to rivers and lakes or expropriation

Argentine Patagonia Nahuel Huapi National Park administrators have started expropriation proceedings against landowners, among them US media tycoon Ted Turner. Landowners have consistently refused free public access to rivers and lakes, park sources said.