Stories for April 2008

Tuesday, April 29th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Brazil forecasts record production of sugar cane ethanol

Brazil is forecasting for this year its greatest production of sugar cane ethanol ever according to the country's National Supply Company, Conab. The total volume is estimated between 26.4 and 27.4 billion liters, 14.9% and 19.4% higher than in 2007.
Tuesday, April 29th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Benchmark US ruling on polar bears (and global warming)

A US federal judge has ordered the Interior Department to decide by May 15 whether polar bears should be listed as a threatened species because of global warming. The decision was hailed by conservation groups which have been hounding the US government on the issue for years.
Monday, April 28th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Transparency call for oil industry to help with “revenue puzzle”

A majority of leading oil and gas companies are far from transparent when it comes to the payments they make to resource-rich countries, leaving the door open to corruption and hampering efforts to fight poverty, according to a report published Monday by Transparency International (TI).
Monday, April 28th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Seven S. American countries launch the Bank of the South

South American Economy ministers agreed in Montevideo on an initial credit turnover of 20 billion US dollars for the regional development Bank of the South as well as each country member's contribution and credit access.
Monday, April 28th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Market talk of Shell's renewed interest in Falklands' oil

Borders & Southern Petroleum Plc from the UK and which explores for oil near the Falkland Islands rose in London trading on Monday on speculation Royal Dutch Shell Plc may make a takeover bid, according to Bloomberg News.
Monday, April 28th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Good performance of Paraguayan economy last year: 6.8

The Paraguayan economy boosted by the faro sector Grez 6.8% in 2007, which is higher than originally forecasted, 6.4%, according to the country's Central Band president German Rojas.
Monday, April 28th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Argentina's country risk reaches highest since June 2005

Argentina's country risk according to JP Morgan signaled last Friday a new high, matching the June 2005 mark, following Standard & Poor's negative rating of Argentina's foreign debt.
Monday, April 28th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Free Tibet flags were being made in Chinese factory

Police in southern China have discovered a factory manufacturing Free Tibet flags, according to media reports in Beijing. The factory in Guangdong had been completing overseas orders for the flag of the Tibetan government-in-exile.
Monday, April 28th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Argentine gov. support falls 13 points in one month

Just four months in office President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has suffered a considerable loss of support and over half of Argentines feel the country is in the wrong track, according to a public opinion poll released Sunday in Buenos Aires.
Monday, April 28th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
High meat and cereal prices for some time forecasts bank

China's preference for different types of meat and a growing demand for cereals and oilseeds have had a direct impact on the price of food world wide according to an expert from the Spanish bank BBVA, which has a strong influence and presence in Latinamerica.