Stories for December 2008

Monday, December 22nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
China reacts to negative Nov: fifth rate cut in 3 months

China cut interest rates for a fifth time in three months on Monday in its latest efforts to rev up the economy. The one-year lending rate will drop by 0.27 percentage points to 5.31% and the deposit rate by the same amount to 2.25%, the People's Bank of China said on its Web site.
Monday, December 22nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Paraguay denies arrival of Venezuelan illiteracy experts

Paraguay does not need teachers from other countries to fight illiteracy in the country said on Monday the country's Education and Culture minister Horacio Galeano Perrone, during an interview with a local station in Asunción, the capital.
Monday, December 22nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Argentina/Chile celebrate John Paul II 1978 peace efforts

The governments of Argentina and Chile are celebrating on Monday almost simultaneously religious services in the Basilica of Lujan and in the Maipu national sanctuary, respectively, to honour the memory of Pope John Paul II and his peace efforts which thirty years ago prevented a full fledged war between the neighbouring countries.
Sunday, December 21st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Bolivia's Morales declares “free of illiteracy”

President Evo Morales declared Bolivia free of illiteracy on Saturday after a three-year project sponsored by his leftist allies Cuba and Venezuela helped about 820,000 people learn to read and write.
Sunday, December 21st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Latam's six year sustained growth grinds to a halt

After six years of strong performance, Latin American and Caribbean economies will slow considerably next year as the global economic meltdown takes its toll on the region and unemployment rises, a United Nations agency for economic development announced last Friday.
Sunday, December 21st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
UK ministers consider £ 500 million loan to Jaguar Land Rover

The British cabinet is weighing up a direct loan worth hundreds of millions of pounds to ailing car maker Jaguar Land Rover it was reported over the weekend in the London press. Business Secretary Lord Mandelson could approve a £500 million loan to the company, which employs around 15,000 people in the UK, the Sunday Times claimed.
Sunday, December 21st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Punta Arenas health officials warn of red tide threat

Magallanes Region Public Health Department has set out a warning that red tide has been detected in several points of the area following lab tests of different molluscs and sea food.

Magallanes in the extreme south of Chile is famous for its sea food which is supplied to the rest of the country.
Sunday, December 21st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Sarkozy to sign arms deal to help Brazil build nuclear sub

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to sign an arms deal during his visit to Brazil that could help this country build Latin America's first nuclear-propelled submarine, according to the government's official news agency Agencia Brazil.
Sunday, December 21st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Argentina Falklands claims' inventory adds two supports

Argentina's Falklands/Malvinas sovereignty claim support inventory added two more statements this last week during the meeting of Latinamerican and Caribbean leaders in the northeast of Brazil.
Saturday, December 20th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Big Three rescue loan brings relief but is no handout

Citing imminent danger to the US economy, President Bush ordered Friday an emergency bailout of the US auto industry Friday, offering 17.4 billion USD in rescue loans and demanding tough concessions from the deeply troubled carmakers and their workers.