Stories for April 2008

Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chilean Patagonia dams controversy reaches NY Times

Another controversy has erupted in The New York Times involving Chile and a project to build hydroelectric dams in Patagonia, an initiative which is being questioned by international environmentalists groups.
Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chinese banks may now invest in US stocks and funds

Chinese banks may now invest their clients' money in United States stocks and mutual funds, China's banking regulator has said allowing them to diversify their portfolios at a time of increasing market volatility. The decision announced this week is also expected to help ease inflationary pressures in the world's fastest growing economy.
Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Brazil becomes EU top market in Latinamerica

Brazil has replaced Mexico as the European Union's top market in Latinamerica, according to a Latin Business Chronicle analysis of 2007 trade data from Eurostat. Meanwhile Latinamerica trade with the European Union continues to grow at faster levels than with the United States, the analysis shows.
Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chile has most “rich-poor” segregated education system

The segregation of rich and poor students in Chile may be the worst in the world, according to a recent Universidad de Chile study confirming what many education leaders already suspected.
Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Paraguay: former bishop leads in run up to presidential election

Paraguayan former Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo supported by opposition and citizens groups disenchanted with the current political system leads with 36.8% in the race to April 20 presidential elections, according to the latest public opinion poll published by La Nación. This represents a two point win over the March poll.
Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Brazil admits it must recover EU confidence regarding beef

Agriculture minister Reinhold Stephanes admitted that Brazil must “recover the European Union confidence” regarding beef following the recent temporary suspension of shipments imposed by the 27 country block.
Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Bolivians consider latest James Bond film stigmatizing

Bolivian Culture Deputy Minister Pablo Groux complained this week that Quantum of Solace, the upcoming film about secret agent James Bond, stigmatizes Bolivia as a centre of drug traffic.
Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Spain to halt economic decline with US style incentive package

Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero promised short-term measures and US style incentives to halt an economic decline, especially in the construction sector, over his second term.
Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
IMF blames credit crunch on “collective failure” & liquidity spiral

The International Monetary Fund has warned that potential losses from the credit crunch will reach 945 billion US dollars and could be even higher as losses are spreading from sub-prime mortgage assets to other sectors, such as commercial property, consumer credit, and company debt.
Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Two human fatal cases of mad cow reported in Spain

The human variant of the mad cow disease, (bovine spongiform encephalopathy), BSE killed two persons, one three months ago and the other last week, Spain announced this week on public radio.