Stories for April 2008

Sunday, April 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
World Bank grant for Haiti to prop social safety net programs

The World Bank announced Sunday a 10 million US dollar grant for Haiti to help the Government respond to the increasing, unaffordable prices of food for poor families.

In Haiti, the prices of rice, corn, beans, cooking oil and other foodstuffs have increased significantly in the last few months.
Sunday, April 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Zoellick warns food prices will push millions to poverty

The rapid rise in food prices could push 100m people in poor countries deeper into poverty, the head of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick, has said.

His warning follows that from the leader of the International Monetary Fund, who said hundreds of thousands of people are at risk of starvation.
Sunday, April 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Blind Dave completes Falklands to London 7 continent marathon

A blind man who set himself a worldwide challenge to run seven marathons on seven continents in seven days finished his final run at the Flora London Marathon. Dave Heeley, 50, known as Blind Dave joined the London Marathon after spending a week running in the Falkland Islands, Brazil, Los Angeles, Sydney, Dubai and Tunisia.
Saturday, April 12th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Buenos Aires gives the Olympic flame a rest and new spirit

The Olympic flame relay through Buenos Aires City on Friday was cheered by thousands of jubilant Argentines who turned out to the streets in support of the Beijing Olympic Games to be held next August in China.

Tennis Hall of Fame Gabriela Sabatini, Gaby, running down a long carpet into the hall of an equestrian club, where she ignited a flame in a giant metal bowl gave the final touch to a brilliant event.
Saturday, April 12th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Washington asks Argentina for help with Venezuela

The top US diplomat for Latin America signaled a thaw in relations with Argentina during his brief 48 hours visit to Buenos Aires where he met with President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and main officials from her administration. Before returning to Washington he described relations as “excellent”.
Friday, April 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Record copper prices and record budget surpluses in Chile

The Chilean government said Thursday that the record high copper price reached on the London Metal Exchange, over 4 US dollars a pound, is “good news” but also demands prudence.
Friday, April 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Global financial crisis brings together IMF and Stiglitz

Economy Nobel Prize Joseph Stiglitz, a fierce critic of the International Monetary Fund said that “this time” the fund's experts “have it right” in their assessment of the current global financial and credit crisis, which many economists however consider as to harsh and pessimistic.
Friday, April 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chile intervenes foreign exchange mart to weaken Peso

Chile's central bank, under pressure from Congress and exporters to weaken the peso, announced Thursday it will buy 8 billion US dollars in currency markets this year to increase reserves and in response to the sharp appreciation against the dollar.
Friday, April 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Rio do Janeiro admits dengue epidemic and tourism losses

For the first time Brazilian authorities admitted that the dengue epidemic in Brazil is having a serious impact on the tourist industry, particularly in Rio do Janeiro where bookings have been plummeting.
Friday, April 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Tight security for Olympic torch relay in Buenos Aires

The Olympic torch arrived Thursday afternoon to Argentina and on Friday will be relayed thirteen kilometers through downtown Buenos Aires with a massive display of security forces to ensure there's no repeat of the anti China incidents that have occurred in Europe and United States.