Stories for December 2008

Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Russia/Argentina sign “strategic alliance” and criticize US

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner called for a closer partnership with Russia at Kremlin talks on Wednesday, implying criticism to the United States perceived dominance of world affairs.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Germany/UK clash over origin of crisis and Keynes legacy

The German finance minister has launched an outspoken attack on the UK government's plans to help pull Britain out of the economic downturn. In an unusual breach of standard diplomacy, Peer Steinbruck attacked the UK's decision to cut VAT and raise the national debt to record levels.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Putin's Russia supports Argentina's Falklands claim

Russia openly supported Argentina's sovereignty claim over the Falkland Islands and called for a peaceful resolution of the dispute with Britain in the joint statement following the meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner with counterpart Dmitri Medvedev.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
YPF, Pan American, Petrobras to explore Malvinas basin

Argentina's YPF, Brazil's Petrobras and Pan American Energy signed several agreements for the joint oil and gas exploration offshore in the San Jorge Gulf, the Malvinas basin and along the South Atlantic coastline, according to a report released Wednesday in Buenos Aires.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Royal Navy cash saving review delays building of carriers

Britain's Royal Navy two new aircraft carriers are likely to be delayed by up to two years following a cash-saving review of Ministry of Defence equipment spending, it was announced this week.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
US numbers deeper in the red in spite of falling oil prices

The US trade deficit unexpectedly grew in October, despite falling oil prices, according to Commerce Department data released this week. The trade deficit rose to 57.2bn, which was an increase of 1.1% from September's figure.
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.