Stories for December 10th 2008

Wednesday, December 10th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Congo and rebels enter UN backed talks to end fighting

United Nations-backed talks between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a main rebel militia kicked off Tuesday, in a bid to end the upsurge in the fighting which has uprooted an additional 250,000 people in country's far east.
Wednesday, December 10th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
UN: Sixty years on Human Rights still not a reality for all

The promises enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) remain unfilled for tens of millions of people worldwide, the top United Nations human rights official said on the eve of the December 10th landmark document's 60th anniversary.
Wednesday, December 10th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
France receives first couple of former Colombian rebels

A young Colombian rebel who won hero status for freeing a kidnapped politician headed for France on Tuesday accompanied by his girlfriend, the world's most celebrated ex-hostage and a fat reward check.
Wednesday, December 10th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Chilean “limited” cabinet reshuffle as election year looms

A “limited” cabinet reshuffle is expected this week in Chile following the resignations of Labour minister Osvaldo Andrade and Deputy Interior minister Felipe Harboe, announced Minister of Interior Edmundo Perez Yoma on Wednesday.
Wednesday, December 10th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Record low for UK £ vs the Euro as recession advances

The British pound has hit a record low against the Euro amid more economic gloom for the United Kingdom. At its low point one pound bought just under Euros 1.14, its weakest-ever showing against the single currency.
Wednesday, December 10th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Colombia promotes tourism and joins the cruise industry

The Colombian city of Cartagena de Indias became this week an intermediate boarding port for Royal Caribbean International Southern Caribbean cruise circuit which was marked with the arrival of “Enchantment of the Seas”.
Wednesday, December 10th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Mercosur “is virtually fractured” Uruguay admits openly

Mercosur presidential summit next week in Brazil has on the table an agenda of several highly sensitive issues that could deepen the rift between senior members Argentina and Brazil and junior members Paraguay and Uruguay, according to Uruguayan parliamentary sources.
Wednesday, December 10th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Chinese exports drop 2.2% in November and imports 19.1%

China has reported a fall in exports for the first time in seven years as a result of the global economic downturn. Exports declined in November from the same period a year ago for the first time since June 2001, data show.
Wednesday, December 10th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
IMF report exposed Spain's long term vulnerability

Spain could become stalled in protracted weak growth and high unemployment unless it undertakes reforms to raise productivity and cut costs, the International Monetary Fund said in a report published on Wednesday.