Stories for April 18th 2008

Friday, April 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
March global surface temperature among highest on record

The global surface (land and ocean surface) temperature was the second warmest on record for March in the 129-year record, 0.71Â° C above the 20th century mean of 12.7Â° C. The warmest March on record, 1.33Â° C occurred in 2002.
Friday, April 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chilean farmed salmon sector in dire need of restructuring

Guaranteeing a sustainable salmon industry in Chile requires reorganizing the industry and allowing for the relocation of concessions to larger management areas, said the president of AquaChile company, Victor Hugo Puchi.
Friday, April 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Ecuador's Correa warns FARC and Colombian Gov.

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa warned Colombia's Revolutionary Armed Forces, FARC that any incursion into Ecuadorian territory would be considered an “act of war” and asked for a “helpful hand” from the Organization of American States, OAS, to put an end to the “disrepute campaign” launched by the Colombian government.
Friday, April 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Aerolineas could be returning to the “Argentine fold”

The Spanish tourism operator Marsans which has a majority stake in Aerolineas Argentinas announced in Buenos Aires the intention of making the flag air carrier “ever more Argentine”, and simultaneously taking advantage of the expertise and opportunities the Spanish group can offer.
Friday, April 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Argentine farmers and government reach agreement on beef

Argentine farmers and government officials reached on Thursday a first agreement on a single issue beef, but insisted that many more points remain to be addressed. On Friday discussions will be focused on dairy and Monday on grains and the sliding export levies which triggered the 21 day farmers' strike and shortages conflict.
Friday, April 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Scrub fires smoke covers Buenos Aires and Montevideo

Argentine government and farmers caught up in a month-long confrontation over an export tax increase, clashed again Thursday because of the extensive burning of grasslands that has thrown a blanket of smoke over the capital Buenos Aires and has even reached parts of neighboring Uruguay.
Friday, April 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News Update

Headlines: Final product on the way to market; Work starts on West ferry head; Queen's Birthday marks end of summer time; Uganda crew and patients reunite; FIDC interim manager withdraws.
Friday, April 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Paraguay: old regime could begin to crumble on Sunday

The last 48 hours before Sunday's vote to elect president and a new Congress in Paraguay are showing the strains of an ancient regime that has ruled undisputedly in the country for over six decades but which seems condemned according to the prevailing opinion polls for the last twelve months.
Friday, April 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Tibet and impeached minister mark a new low for M. Bachelet

The government of Chilean president Michelle Bachelet marked this week a new low when her Education minister was impeached and barred five years from office, and the Lower House approved a proposal condemning repression in Tibet and calling on Beijing to hold talks with the Dalai Lama.
Friday, April 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Inquiry into death of British priest during Pinochet period

Arrest orders have been extended for six Chilean naval officers allegedly involved in the abduction and torture of a British Catholic priest and other political prisoners during the early days of the September 1973 military coup that ousted elected Socialist president Salvador Allende.