Stories for May 9th 2008

Friday, May 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Billiton-Rio Tinto merger could help Falklands' oil plans

In the event of a successful takeover by BHP Billiton of Rio Tinto the new merged giant would consider selling a 1.5 billion potash project in Argentina which would facilitate developing Billiton oil and gas exploration off shore the Falkland Islands, according to reports in the Australian press.
Friday, May 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Brazil's warning message about Bolivian separatism

Brazil's Foreign Affairs minister Celso Amorim said that South America would never accept “separatism in Bolivia” and underlined that any autonomy must be negotiated with La Paz, reports O'Globo.
Friday, May 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Paraguayan elected president after Congressional accord

Paraguayan president elect Fernando Lugo who takes office next August 15 will have to reach a working agreement in Congress since the coalition that supported him was unable to obtain a majority.
Friday, May 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Hawks & hooligans, the Kirchners' anti inflation plan

Hardliners have taken over the Argentine administration of President Mrs. Kirchner determined to a complete victory over the farmers in the current conflict, while pickets of hooligans have taken to the streets to intimidate businesses to moderate prices thus helping to combat the country's spiraling inflation.
Friday, May 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Volcanic ashes give Buenos Aires sunset grayish color

A thin rain of ashes in suspension from the Chilean volcano Chaitén which became active last Friday and have blanketed vast areas of Chilean and Argentine Patagonia began reaching Buenos Aires City atmosphere on Thursday.
Friday, May 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Euro zone and Bank of England leave rates unchanged

The European Central Bank kept on Thursday interest rates for the 15-nation Euro bloc steady at 4% amid increasing signs that economic growth is winding down. ECB signaled that it was not in a rush to cut rates, as it forecast inflation would stay “high for a protracted period of time”.
Friday, May 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News update

Headlines: Ship burns for days; Get behind the Big Salute; Volcanic ash over Islands; Man guilty of sex with child.
Friday, May 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Record foreign direct investment for Latinamerica in 2007

Foreign direct investment in Latinamerica reached 106 billion US dollars in 2007, overtaking the record 89 billion of 1999, according to the latest release from the United Nations Latin American Commission, CEPAL.
Friday, May 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Bolivian president accepts challenge of recall referendum

Bolivian President Evo Morales agreed to a nationwide recall referendum, gambling that Bolivians will re-elect him after just two years in office and confirm support for his plan of reforms which has been condemned by some of the country's richest provinces.
Friday, May 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Almost 60% of Chilean moms during 2005 were single

Almost 60% of Chilean women who had children during 2005 were single moms, the Chilean Institute of Statistics, INE reported this week. INE noted that most of the single mothers were between 20 and 24 years old.