Stories for April 2008

Friday, April 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News Update

Headlines: 'He's behind you!'; Blind Dave's on target for London; Local companies object to loligo fee rise; Steady cruise ship rise continues; FPV Protegat on the way.
Friday, April 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Tourists “discover” piece of Lowestoft's maritime history

When a Suffolk couple embarked on a South America and Falkland Islands holiday the last thing they expected was to discover a piece of Lowestoft's maritime history, according to a piece published in The Lowestoft Journal, from Lowestoft, England.
Friday, April 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Brazil is promoting South American Defence Council

Brazil's Minister of Defence Nelson Jobim announced visits to neighboring countries to promote the Brazilian initiative for a South American Defence Council. Addressing the Defence and Foreign Affairs committees of the Brazilian Congress Mr. Jobim said next Monday he would be traveling to Venezuela, Surinam and Guyana the first leg of the regional tour.
Friday, April 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Poor countries grain bill forecasted to soar 50% in 2008

With food riots reported across the globe from the Philippines to Haiti, the United Nations agricultural agency warned Friday that the cereal import bill of the world's poorest countries is forecast to rise by over 50% in the current fiscal year.
Friday, April 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
“Rice prices crisis” has become a global challenge, says IRRI

Rice prices are set to keep rising as demand is outstripping production according to the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). In its Rice Today publication IRRI calls for more research on how to increase rice productivity and face the “rice prices crisis”.
Friday, April 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Argentine farmers satisfied with “dialogue spirit”

Argentine farmers' leaders described the long awaited Friday meeting with President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner to discuss camp policies, particularly taxes, as “positive” and praised the “sincere” and “dialogue spirit” of the three hours discussions held at Government House, Casa Rosada.
Thursday, April 10th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chavez nationalizes steel sector partly owned by Argentina

President Hugo Chavez announced plans to nationalize Venezuela's biggest steel maker, Sidor, which belongs to the Argentine-Italian group Techint, with shares in the New York Stock Exchange. The group has close links with the Kirchners.
Thursday, April 10th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chile considering whale sanctuary along its coastline

Chile appears ever closer to declaring its entire Pacific coastline – one of the longest in the world – a whale “sanctuary.” According to government officials, President Michelle Bachelet is likely to endorse the proposal as early as June, when Chile hosts this year's annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission.
Thursday, April 10th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
IMF forecasts 4.4% growth for 2008 in “resilient” Latam

Economic growth in Latinamerica will slow this year and next because of a “mild recession” in the US and turmoil in global financial markets, according to the International Monetary Fund World Outlook report released Wednesday
Thursday, April 10th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Nuclear super-carrier in the South Atlantic next May

A mighty warrior of the seas, USS George Washington will be visiting Punta Arenas in the extreme south of Chile next May.