Stories for December 11th 2008

Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
UK Minister Gillian Merron on three day visit to Brazil

British Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Foreign Office Gillian Merron is currently in Brazil for a three-day trip with stops in Brasília, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, according to a release from the Foreign Office.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Insulza admits he wants to become Chilean president

Jose Miguel Insulza, secretary-general of the Organization of American States, OAS, said on Thursday he plans to run for the presidency of his native Chile, where the ruling centre-left coalition is faltering in polls.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
German economy forecasted to contract 2.2% next year

Germany's Munich based Ifo (Institute for Economic Research) expects the German economy to contract 2.2% in 2009 and continue falling into the following year, according to a forecast published on Thursday.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Global oil demand forecasted to drop, first time since 1983

Global oil demand will contract this year for the first time since 1983 shrinking by 200.000 barrels per day, with the total revised down to 85.8 million barrels per day according to the monthly report from the International Energy Agency.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Tentative agreement for second EU Ireland referendum

The way could be cleared for Ireland to hold a second referendum on the European Union's Lisbon Treaty by October 2009, a draft statement by EU leaders said Thursday.

The statement grants several major concessions to Dublin in an effort to convince Irish voters of the merits of adopting the reforming treaty, which attempts to streamline decision-making within the 27-member bloc.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Bones remains found in Argentine former detention centre

More than 10,000 bone fragments have been unearthed at a secret Argentine detention centre in the city of La Plata where political dissidents allegedly were held and tortured during Argentina's dictatorship, 1976/1983.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Argentine Lower House approves tax moratorium

The Lower House of Argentina approved early Thursday a controversial bill that would establish a moratorium on unpaid taxes and give tax opportunities to Argentines who repatriate money and assets held overseas.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
LAN reported traffic increase of 9.9% during November

LAN Chile and related companies, one of the leading airline groups in Latin America reported a passenger traffic increase of 9.9% in November, according to preliminary monthly traffic statistics and punctuality indicators.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Brazil launches tax-cut and credit stimulus plan

Brazil's government will cut taxes by 8.4 billion Real (approximately 3.6 billion USD) to prop the slowing economy and meet a 4% growth target in 2009 next year, Finance Minister Guido Mantega and Central Bank president Henrique Meirelles announced Thursday in Brasilia.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Brazil demands leadership from Obama on trade

Brazil said on Thursday that global trade talks need a strong signal from US President-elect Barack Obama to save them from failure. Brazilian Minister Celso Amorim made the announcement after meeting with World Trade Organization Director General Pascal Lamy in Geneva.