Stories for May 2008

Thursday, May 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Peruvian President Garcia sets up environment ministry

Peru has created its first environment ministry, on the eve of a joint Latin American and European Union summit expected to focus on climate change.
Thursday, May 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Colonialism has no place in today's world, says UN

Although decolonization has been one of the United Nations' great success stories, the fact that 16 non-self-governing Territories remains means that the task has yet to be completed, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said this week.
Thursday, May 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Colombia-Ecuador conflict could filter EU-Latam summit

Latin American and European leaders are gathering in Lima, Peru on Friday for a much publicized summit which is scheduled to address climate change, high food prices and poverty. However an issue not included in the agenda could break into the meeting: Colombia's raid on a rebel camp inside Ecuador last early March.
Thursday, May 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Barclays announces £1 billion write down and lower profits

Britain's Barclays has taken a further one billion sterling write-down on assets and confirmed profits for the first quarter of 2008 will be lower than last year. Last month, the bank warned that tough trading in its investment bank division Barclays Capital during March would cut group profits for the quarter.
Thursday, May 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Uruguay downplays possible impact of Argentine situation

Uruguayan financial authorities minimized the possible economic impacts on Uruguay of the current uncertainty scenario in Argentina because of the ongoing conflict with farmers and which has temporarily suspended the neighboring country's cereal and oil seeds exports.
Thursday, May 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chilean wineries plan to hike investment in Argentina

Several Chilean wine makers have recently disclosed plans to increase their investments in Argentina, a country also well-known for the alcoholic beverage.
Thursday, May 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
US lists polar bears as threatened species, with a loophole

The United States has listed the polar bear as a threatened species, because its Arctic sea ice habitat is melting due to climate change. US government scientists predict that two-thirds of the polar bear population of 25,000 could disappear by 2050. However, the government stressed the listing would not lead to measures to prevent global warming.
Thursday, May 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Uruguayan exporters' gruel government's economic policies

Uruguay's economic team defended the current government's policies and denied any loss of competitiveness, increased government expenditure or inflation out of control. However the Uruguayan business community was not entirely convinced with the arguments and complained about the inefficiency and high costs of energy and fuel provided by government monopolies.
Thursday, May 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Uruguayan made Chinese cars export to Argentina

In thirty days time Chery-Socma Uruguay, a Chinese, Argentine Uruguayan consortium will be making its first export of Uruguayan assembled cars to Argentina. The announcement was made during a visit this week to the plant by Uruguayan president Tabare Vazquez and Hui Liangyu, China's Deputy Primer Minister.
Thursday, May 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Record soybean crop in Paraguay: 6.8 million tons

Paraguay's soy bean 2007/08 crop is expected to reach a record 6.8 million tons helped by good yields and an expansion of the area planted according to the country's soy exporters chamber.