Stories for 2008

Monday, July 7th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
US food price hikes “pale” in comparison to energy prices

In United States as in the rest of world, consumers have suffered the impact on rising food and fuel prices of adverse climate, larger global demand and roaring speculation. But even so on average, US consumers still spend 10% of their income on food, which is possibly the lowest in the world according to the latest surveys from the American Farm Bureau Federation, AFBF.
Monday, July 7th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Food and fuel top of the agenda of G8 summit in Japan

World leaders are preparing to begin a key summit in Japan, with the global economy and its rising food and fuel costs looming as the main issues.
Monday, July 7th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chile-Uruguay sign strategic association; rap EU on migration

Chilean president Michelle Bachelet and her Uruguayan counterpart Tabare Vazquez expressed on Monday “deep concern” over the new European Union migration policy and argued in favor of the positive aspects of migration.
Sunday, July 6th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Political turmoil causes 9 billion USD to flee Argentina

An estimated 9 billion US dollars left Argentina between late March and the end of June on fears of growing uncertainties about the country's economy and the on going stand off with farmers who are protesting President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner administration policies towards the camp.
Sunday, July 6th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Argentine Senate begins Monday farm taxing system debate

Argentina's lower house of Congress finally approved on Saturday after a marathon session a controversial package of grain-export taxes that have sparked months of nationwide farm strikes and food shortages since they were first implemented in March.
Sunday, July 6th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chilean president begins two day visit to Uruguay

Chile and Uruguay are scheduled of sign on Monday in Montevideo a “strategic association” agreement in the framework of Chilean President Michelle Bachelet's two day official visit. Ms Bachelet arrived in Montevideo late Sunday.
Sunday, July 6th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Uribe on the crest of the wave considering a third mandate

An overwhelming majority of Colombians, 77%, support a second reelection of President Alvaro Uribe following the rescue of fifteen hostages last Wednesday including former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, according to a public opinion poll released by the top circulation magazine Semana.
Sunday, July 6th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Bachelet sponsors Betancourt for Nobel Peace Prize

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet is promising to nominate rescued Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Saturday, July 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
China agrees to pay double for BHP Billiton iron ore

Mining giant BHP Billiton has reached a deal with China's largest steelmaker to almost double iron ore prices. Under the agreement, covering contracts for one year from 1 April 2008, BHP will increase its prices by up to 96.5% for deliveries to state-owned Baosteel.
Saturday, July 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Petrobras sets during June new oil production record

Brazil's government managed oil and gas corporation Petrobras set a new monthly oil production record in Brazil in June: 1,867,000 barrels per day (bpd). This was 12,600 bpd higher than the previous record from last December with 1,855,000 bpd.