Stories for December 2008

Saturday, December 20th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Unasur initiative not incompatible with OAS, says Rice

United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice does not think that the creation of an organization that pools Latin American and Caribbean countries would be a threat or incompatible with for the Organization of American States (OAS).
Saturday, December 20th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Russian Navy flotilla makes first visit to Cuba since Cold War

Three ships from Russia's Northern Fleet arrived in Havana Bay on Friday as part of the Russian Navy's first visit to Cuba since the Cold War. On arrival the Admiral Chabanenko destroyer fired a 21-salvo “international salute,” which the country's coastal artillery returned.
Saturday, December 20th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
HMS Endurance, while adrift was in serious risk of grounding

Early Friday the stranded Royal Navy's Ice Patrol HMS Endurance with its 113 crew and a translator arrived in Punta Arenas pulled by two Chilean tugs. She has already been docked at the Asmar ship yard where Chilean and British engineers will immediately begin with emergency repairs.
Saturday, December 20th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Recalling one of the Falklands war major logistic losses

The Captain of the cruise ship “Discovery” that visited the capital of the Falkland Islands, Stanley last week was John Brocklehurst. The former Chief Officer on the Atlantic Conveyor making his first visit since the Falkland's War.
Saturday, December 20th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Petrobras reviewing 112 billion USD five year investment plan

Brazil's government managed oil and gas corporation Petrobras will continue to review its massive 2009/2013 investment plan next January on account of the uncertainties and volatility of several markets, said the company in an official release.
Friday, December 19th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Uruguay's record wheat crop nightmare for farmers' pockets

Uruguay expects this year its largest wheat harvest on record, 1.3 million tons including 900.000 for export, according to a report from the Agriculture Ministry Planning and Policies Office, OPYPA.
Friday, December 19th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
U.S Defense Sec.Gates orders plan to close Guantanamo

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is has ordered his staff to prepare a plan for closing the Guantanamo Bay detention center, to be ready for possible implementation soon after President-elect Barack Obama takes office January 20.
Friday, December 19th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News update

Headlines:Endurance under tow to Punta Arenas; 'Satisfactory' progress report for FICS; From messboy to master; This week's cruise ships.
Friday, December 19th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Argentine court orders release of jailed officers

The order to release of 12 torture suspects from Argentina's 1976-1983 military dictatorship unleashed a storm of condemnation from President Cristina Fernandez as well as human rights organizations in Argentina Thursday.
Thursday, December 18th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Hedge fund fraud king with house arrest and electronic tag

Bernard Madoff, the hedge fund boss accused of a 50 billion US dollars fraud, has put up 10 million bail and in effect been placed under house arrest. Mr Madoff turned up at New York's federal court to sign some papers but did not answer reporters' questions.