Stories for April 2008

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.
Monday, April 14th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Uruguay sets new Guinness record with a 12 ton barbecue

Over a thousand grill chefs helped Uruguay establish a new Guinness record when on Sunday they prepared the biggest barbecue in the world, 12 tons of prime beef and thus beating the previous 8 ton record from Mexico.
Monday, April 14th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Sniffs of another major oil discovery offshore Brazil

Brazil's government managed oil corporation Petrobras said late Monday that more conclusive data on the Carioca ultra deep pre salt basin discovery potential “will only be known after other phases in the assessment process have been completed”.
Monday, April 14th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Falkland Islands restore Argentine tank after 26 years

An Argentine Panhard armored car which escaped damage despite the fact it took part in the 1982 Falkland Islands war and spent the following 25 years on a training range has been rescued and brought to Stanley to be renovated.
Monday, April 14th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Former bishop retains lead in Paraguay's presidential race

With five days for next Sunday's Paraguay's presidential election former Catholic Bishop Fernando Lugo is still the front-runner but his lead over rival candidates has narrowed, according to a public opinion poll published on Ultima Hora Sunday's edition.