Stories for June 13th 2008

Friday, June 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Grain truckers' road blocks strangling Argentine economy

The grain truckers strike in Argentina who are blocking major roads in the country and on Thursday evening confirmed the industrial action are causing major food and fuel shortages in cities forcing cuts on public transport and higher prices in stores.
Friday, June 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Ecuador's Correa says assassination plot a scam

Police in Ecuador have arrested three Colombians and an Ecuadorian accused of plotting to kill the country's leftist president Rafael Correa, officials say.
Friday, June 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News update

Headlines: Port Troop veterans return; Flight delay leaves less time for lobbying; Berkeley Sound update; Public holiday; Inside PN this week.
Friday, June 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Petrobras announces new light oil strike in Santos Basin

Brazil's government owned oil corporation Petrobras announced Friday the discovery of yet another field of light oil, in ultra deep waters of Santos Basin. The well known as Guara in the BM-S-9 block encountered oil with specific gravity of 28o API in pre salt reservoirs, according to the official release.
Friday, June 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
NZ company further expands in Uruguayan farming

New Zealand rural services company PGG Wrightson continues to expand in South America. The NZX-listed company announced the purchase of a 51% stake in Romualdo Rodriguez , a Uruguay-based livestock, wool and rural real estate business.
Friday, June 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Specter of new default in Argentina “closer”, says FT

London's prestigious Financial Times has published a scathing report on Argentina's financial situation and the loss of confidence in the current government which it argues “has brought the specter of a new default closer”.
Friday, June 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
EU-scuttle Irish vote triggers strong Paris-Berlin reaction

Irish voters dealt a stunning blow to the European Union by decisively rejecting the institutional reforms of the Lisbon treaty. Official Thursday referendum results released on Friday showed 53.4% of Irish voters said NO and 46.6%, YES.
Friday, June 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Brazilian companies, main investors in Argentina since 2004

Brazil has become Argentina's leading investor with growing interests in the country's oil and cement industries, mining and steel, textiles, cosmetics,transport, banks, food and beverages according to a study on the internationalization of Brazilian companies in Argentina.
Friday, June 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
US May inflation at its fastest rate since last November

Inflation in the United States rose at its fastest pace for six months in May because of sharply higher energy costs. Consumer prices rose 0.6% last month, government figures showed, the steepest monthly increase since last November.
Friday, June 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
OPEC again cuts 2008 global oil demand estimate

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries cut its 2008 global oil demand forecast for a fifth month as record fuel prices curb consumption. Oil demand this year will rise 1.1 million barrels a day to 86.88 million barrels, OPEC said in its monthly oil market report today.