Stories for November 2008

Saturday, November 22nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Hillary Clinton accepts post as Secretary of State

New York Senator Hillary Clinton has accepted President-elect Barack Obama's offer of the job of secretary of state. Hillary is expected to accept the position of secretary of state in the Obama Administration. A formal announcement is planned for after Thanksgiving.
Saturday, November 22nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Cllr Summers thanks the UK's UN Amb, John Sawers

COUNCILLOR Mike Summers said he would like the House to send its formal thanks and congratulations to the UK's UN Ambassador in New York, John Sawyer, who, with his team, denied an attempt by Argentina and Spain to propose in the United Nations 4th Committee an amendment, which would have denied the right of self-determination to those countries, where there is a sovereignty conflict.
Friday, November 21st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Ecuador auditing commission suggests halting bond payments

A commission auditing Ecuador's foreign debt has recommended that the country halt payments on three bonds worth 3.9 billion USD after finding “illegalities” in the obligations.
Friday, November 21st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Chile's balanced budget threatened by less copper surplus

Plummeting prices for copper and molybdenum, Chile's main exports, are expected to have a negative impact on the country's finances and for the first time in six years, in 2009, the country could end with a budget deficit.
Friday, November 21st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
OECD 3Q GDP declined 0.1%, first time in 7 years

Gross domestic product (GDP) in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OECD area declined by 0.1% in the third quarter of 2008, the first fall in seven years, according to preliminary estimates.
Friday, November 21st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
China announces overhaul of dairy industry safety

China announced a complete overhaul of its dairy industry Thursday to improve safety at every step, from cow breeding to milk sales, admitting its worst food quality scandal in years had revealed “major problems” in quality control.
Friday, November 21st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
RBS shareholders vote on £ 20 billion bail out plan

Shareholders in Royal Bank of Scotland are to vote on a £20 billion bail-out plan which could put nearly 60% of the company in public hands. RBS, one of the worst hit by the banking turmoil, has called a general meeting in Edinburgh to approve the rescue.
Friday, November 21st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
CAP reform cuts subsidies, liberalizes dairy market

European Union farm ministers have agreed to reform agricultural policy by shifting more subsidies away from production and liberalising the dairy market. The deal on reforming the Common Agricultural Policy came on Thursday after marathon all-night talks.
Friday, November 21st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
World economic confidence index falls to 20-year low

A world economic confidence index released Thursday dropped to its lowest level in 20 years amid further news of heavy losses on global markets and an ongoing crisis among the world's carmakers.
Friday, November 21st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
FDA announces offices world wide; first in Beijing

The United States opened Wednesday a Food and Drug Administration office in Beijing, as the first step in an FDA strategy to try to improve food and drug safety standards around the world.