Stories for April 15th 2008

Tuesday, April 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

Renewed Chinese interest in Repsol Latinamerican assets

China National Petroleum Corp may bid for the Latin American assets of Repsol YPF if the Spanish group decides to offer them again for sale, the South China Morning Post reported on Monday citing sources.

Tuesday, April 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

Hello Miami: Long lines in Cuba for cellular phones

Hundreds of Cubans queued for blocks outside phone stores on Monday to sign up for cellular phone service for the first time. Contracts cost about 120 US dollars and do not include a phone or credit to make and receive calls.

Tuesday, April 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

Argentine farmers cautious about talks with government

Argentine farmers' representatives and government officials agreed Monday on an agenda of specific issues to be addressed as of Tuesday by special technical joint committees in the Department of Agriculture, but were also cautious about how the situation evolves.

Tuesday, April 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

“S. America beefing up forces, but is not in arms race”

South America has a right to strengthen its armed forces but is not in an arms race, Brazil's defense minister pointed out in Venezuela. Nelson Jobim who is in the first leg of a continental visit to discuss a planned South American security council said the region needed military power to strengthen its presence on the world stage.

Tuesday, April 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

Scientists call for radical changes in food production

A United Nations-backed group of over 400 scientists are calling for a radical change to the way the world grows food to better serve the poor and hungry and to protect the planet's resources.

Tuesday, April 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

Brazil and Russia sign agreement to develop jet fighter

Brazil and Russia signed an agreement on Tuesday to jointly develop top-line jet fighters and satellite launch vehicles. Strategic Affairs Minister Roberto Mangabeira Unger said the agreement will lead to the development of fifth-generation jet fighters that are built using sophisticated engineering, such as composite materials, stealth technology and advanced radar.

Tuesday, April 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

Chinese investment fund purchases 1% of BP for a billion £

China has spent a billion pounds buying a 1% stake in BP, the UK's largest company by market value. The investment was made by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, a unit of the Central Bank managing 1.6 trillion US dollars in foreign exchange reserves.

Tuesday, April 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

Monitoring of all Falklands licenced vessels from July

All vessels operating under a Falkland Islands fishing licence will be required to use a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) as from July, reports Penguin News.