Stories for May 12th 2008

Monday, May 12th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Ambitious agenda for EU/Latam summit with 53 leaders

Peru is hosting the fifth European Union/Latinamerica/Caribbean leaders' summit and has displayed 85.000 police and Armed Forces in the capital Lima, of which 6.000 in the immediate area where deliberations will take place. The event begins next Tuesday and concludes Friday with the leaders summit.
Monday, May 12th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Majority of Antarctica operators stop off in the Falklands

THE annual International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) conference was held in Punta Del Este, Uruguay this year.
Monday, May 12th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
HSBC writes off U$S 3.2 billion, totaling 15.6 billion

Europe's biggest bank HSBC has written off 3.2 billion US dollars in the first three months of 2008 as a result of its exposure to the US sub-prime market. The write downs, which are lower than the total written off in the final quarter of 2007, are in line with what the bank had predicted.
Monday, May 12th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
World record rice production in 2008, but prices climbing

Rice production in Asia, Africa and Latin America will reach record highs in 2008, but prices could also continue to soar in the short term, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported on Monday.
Monday, May 12th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Bolivian president and governors recall referendum August 10

Bolivian President Evo Morales committed himself and the country's nine governors on Monday to face a recall referendum next August 10, gambling that his unfinished term and controversial reforms will survive the vote.
Monday, May 12th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
China faces strongest inflation is almost 12 years

China's consumer prices increased to a 12 year high in April pushed by food prices and in spite of government pledges to tackle inflation. Annual inflation rose to 8.5% from 8.3% in March with food costs 22.1% higher in April from a year earlier, driven mainly by demand for pork.
Monday, May 12th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Blasting audit report on Argentina's Fisheries Secretariat

Argentina's National Auditing Office accused the country's Fisheries Secretariat of lack of controls and transparency which have driven the hubssi and Illex squid resources to “the limit” because of over fishing.
Monday, May 12th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Uruguay divided over “invasion” of Argentine farmers

The Kirchners' administrations policy of heavily taxing Argentine farmers is having a very positive effect for neighboring Uruguay where a growing number of the most efficient farmers are now established, but some locals are not so convinced.