Stories for April 2008

Monday, April 28th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
OPEC and Bush agree: speculation dominates oil prices

For once OPEC and US president George Bush seem to agree there's no short term fix to oil international prices. The convergence occurred Monday as crude prices edged closer to 120 dollars a barrel, fueled by the shutdown of a key pipeline and concerns about violence in Nigeria.
Monday, April 28th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
OAS mediation to prevent armed conflict in Bolivia

The OAS, Organization of American States, has sent a top negotiator to Bolivia in an attempt to mediate between the administration of President Evo Morales and Santa Cruz province governor Ruben Costas, ahead of next Sunday's controversial autonomy referendum which could signal the beginning of the dismembering of the landlocked country.
Sunday, April 27th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
N Zealand scientists begin working on rare colossal squid

Technicians in New Zealand are set to begin defrosting a rare colossal squid. Having removed the creature from the freezer on Sunday, the team realized it would defrost too early for a planned examination by scientists on Wednesday, reports BBC.

They now aim to begin operations at 1500 (0300 GMT) in Wellington.
Sunday, April 27th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Millions of pounds to clear Falklands' 16.000 mines

Multi-million pound plans to finally rid the Falkland Islands of thousands of deadly landmines left behind by Argentine forces 26 years ago are being considered in Whitehall, reports the Liverpool Daily Post.
Sunday, April 27th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Opposition promise support for Paraguay president elect

Paraguay's President Nicanor Duarte revealed that he had talks with president elect Fernando Lugo “to ensure governance” for the country, and if the incoming administration proposes a constitutional review, he will support it from Congress, according to reports in Asunción Sunday press.
Sunday, April 27th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Argentina: Largest sunflower crop in six years, 4.52 m tons

Argentina's sunflower crop was greater than forecasted totalling 4.52 million tons, the largest of the last six seasons, according to Buenos Aires Grain Exchange. The total area planted was 2.636.000 hectares, with an average yield of 1.720 kilos per hectare, which is 2.5% over last year's crop.
Sunday, April 27th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Argentine gov. looks split over farmers' conflict

The doves of the Argentine cabinet headed by vice president Julio Cobos called on farmers to give the new cabinet a chance and more time to discuss the issues which so far have stalled negotiations.
Sunday, April 27th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Rotterdamers win cup for Van Marwijk, next Dutch national coach

Bert van Marwijk, soon to succeed Marco van Basten as coach of the Dutch National team, went out on a winning note when his league team Feyenoord convincingly won the Dutch Cup final on Sunday, beating Roda JC by 2-0.
Saturday, April 26th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Yacht damaged in high seas heading for the Falklands

A Canadian trying to sail non-stop around the world against the wind is heading for the Falkland Islands after been injured and his 12-metre sailboat damaged in a roll-over in the South Atlantic.
Saturday, April 26th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
World's main ethanol producer takes over Exxon Brazil

Brazil's Cosan the world's largest sugar and ethanol processor announced Friday it had agreed to buy more than 1.500 Brazilian service stations and other assets from Exxon Mobil (Esso Brazil) for 826 million US dollars.