Stories for 2008

Thursday, September 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
UN underlines bumper crops and potential of Russia and Ukraine

A senior United Nations food agency official on Thursday predicted a bumper harvest of cereal crops in Russia and Ukraine for this year and said the region possesses significant untapped agricultural potential.
Thursday, September 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Killings and havoc further disrupt the Bolivian situation

At least nine people were killed as violent anti-government protests mounted in Bolivia on Thursday, creating havoc in its natural gas industry and increasing tensions with the United States.
Thursday, September 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Record crude prices swell US trade deficit in July

Rising oil prices swelled the United States trade deficit in July to its widest level since March 2007, according to the latest government figures. The trade deficit widened to 62.2 billion US dollars from an upwardly revised estimate of 58.84 billion in June.
Thursday, September 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Betancourt back in the hit list of FARC terrorist group

Former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages rescued from the Colombian group FARC last July have again been declared “military targets” by the guerrilla group, claimed Ms Betancourt in New York.
Thursday, September 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Helicopter sales soar with mining industry in Chile

Helicopter sales in Chile are going up, up, up. Due to the dramatic growth of the mining and energy sectors, the country has tripled its sales of the aircrafts in the past three years. In 2005, the main provider of helicopters in the country sold only six units, while this year they have already sold 22.
Thursday, September 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Mexican billionaire has 6.4% stake in the New York Times

Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim has bought a 6.4% stake in publisher of the New York Times, according to a US regulatory filing.
Thursday, September 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Uruguay enjoys solid situation, boasts Minister Astori

Uruguayan Economy minister Danilo Astori who next week steps down to return to his Senate bench and hopefully to become the presidential candidate for the ruling coalition, said that a balanced budget “has no political color be it left or right” and anticipated that this will be a record growth year for the economy.
Thursday, September 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Peru tries to cool fastest growing regional economy

The Peruvian Central Bank raised on Thursday its benchmark interest rate to 6.5% from 6.25%, the latest of several measures to curb inflation. The announcement followed a release from the Ministry of Economy and Finance saying the economy had expanded in July at an estimated 8.9% boosted y by domestic demand and construction industry.
Wednesday, September 10th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Cristina Kirchner and Chavez named in Miami trial

The names of Argentina and Venezuela presidents Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and Hugo Chavez openly emerged in the first hearings of a trial in Miami involving an international cash scandal last year, followed by illegal foreign agents threatening to silence the alleged couriers in United States.
Wednesday, September 10th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Cautious OPEC to strictly comply with agreed quotas

OPEC has told its members to strictly limit their production to agreed quotas as Brent crude dipped below 100 US dollars a barrel for the first time since April. After talks in Vienna, OPEC president Chakib Khelil said the measures to curb over-production amounted to a cut of 520,000 barrels a day within 40 days.

Prices have sunk from a record of more than 147 US dollars a barrel seen in July.