Stories for October 2008

Friday, October 24th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News update

Headlines: Football crazy kids return; New senior Magistrate John Trevaskis; The ups and downs of the FIGAS shuttle.
Friday, October 24th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Long term future of rural Falklands under scrutiny

The long term future of rural Falklands has been placed in the hands of its small population.
Friday, October 24th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Chilean Sunday local elections will test parties' strength

More than eight million Chileans have the right to vote this Sunday for their mayors and city council representatives in the country's 345 municipalities. While the election results will not officially reflect on the 2009 presidential race, the political parties – right, left and centre – are hotly contesting the municipal races and will surely use the final vote tallies to tout their relative strength on the national political scene.
Friday, October 24th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Lightning kills 52 cattle during storm in Uruguayan farm

A lightning killed 52 steers during an electric night storm earlier this week in a Uruguayan farm in San Jose, approximately a hundred kilometres from the capital Montevideo. Apparently the open range cattle were stunned to death as the lightning struck a metal fence.
Friday, October 24th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Call for leadership and partnership on United Nations Day

As the world contends with numerous crises, ranging from food insecurity and climate change to financial uncertainty and the development challenge, leadership and partnership are more important than ever to tackle today's most pressing issues, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a message marking United Nations Day.
Thursday, October 23rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Asbestos on watch list of hazardous substances says FAO

Ministers and officials will decide whether to add three hazardous chemicals – including the world's most widely used form of asbestos – to a trade “watch list” under a United Nations-backed treaty, aimed at helping developing countries more effectively manage potentially harmful imported substances.
Thursday, October 23rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
US election: fears of problems with new voting machines

Researchers are warning of potential problems during the United States election with record numbers set to vote and many states using new voting machines.
Thursday, October 23rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Rockhopper denies FT; no agreement entered with BHP Billiton

Rockhopper Exploration plc the AIM traded (RKH) oil and gas explorer with licences in the North Falkland Basin, notes the report in the Financial Times today entitled “Smaller producers get ready for consolidation”.
Thursday, October 23rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Venezuela's budget based on petroleum at 60 USD a barrel

Venezuela's budget is forecasting 15% inflation and is based assuming oil prices of 60 US dollars per barrel next year, Finance Minister Ali Rodriguez told the National Assembly this week.
Thursday, October 23rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Global recession fears have Latam markets on free fall

Latinamerican markets plunged on Wednesday on fears of consequences from Argentina's plan to nationalize retirement funds spread to the region increasing risks of an already highly volatile global situation.