Stories for 2008

Monday, June 16th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Controversy over pesticides ahead of EU ministers summit

Greenpeace on Monday stepped up calls for European Union governments to approve long-stalled proposals to control the use of pesticides. The call follows the publishing of a ranking of the main manufacturers of pesticides, based on risks to human beings and the environment.
Monday, June 16th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
New natural gas discoveries in Magallanes Region

GeoPark Holdings Limited announced the discovery of two new gas fields in the extreme south of Chile, the Magallanes Region. The gas fields are on the Fell Block following the successful drilling and testing of the two new gas wells.
Monday, June 16th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Uruguayan president visiting Panama, Cuba and Mexico

Uruguay and Panama signed on Monday several cooperation agreements during the official visit of Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez to the Central American country, the first leg of a tour that will also take him to Cuba and Mexico.
Sunday, June 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Argentina farm strike flares again after crackdown

A three-month standoff between Argentina's government and farmers over a tax hike turned violent on Saturday when military police in riot gear used batons to try to clear roadblocks on a main highway.
Sunday, June 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
The Group of Eight (G8) concludes no quick fix for oil prices

There are no quick fixes to soaring oil and food prices, Group of Eight finance ministers concluded on Saturday, although disagreements emerged about the role that speculators were playing in exacerbating price rises.
Sunday, June 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Southern Chile volcano erupts with renewed strength

The Chaiten volcano in southern Chile has erupted with renewed strength, belching thick clouds of ash and hurling molten rocks into the air, regional authorities said Friday.
Sunday, June 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Paraguay's future cabinet blends continuity &renewal

Paraguay's president-elect Fernando Lugo whose historic election ended six decades of one-party rule in the country named a former leftist militant to head his Cabinet when he takes office on August 15.
Sunday, June 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Over 90 bulk grain carriers queuing in the River Plate

The Argentine farmers' conflict has the River Plate packed with grain bulk carriers waiting to load in Buenos Aires and Rosario (up the river Parana). An estimated 90 vessels are queuing with the tail reaching the access to the port of Montevideo, in neighboring Uruguay.
Sunday, June 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chavez names new Finance minister ahead of by-election

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez named on Sunday Ali Rodriguez, a trusted ally who has also served as head of state oil company PDVSA, as Minister of Finance. Rodriguez is currently ambassador in Cuba and was once secretary general of OPED and has also held the post of Foreign Affairs minister.
Sunday, June 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Saudi Arabia will pump 200.000 bpd of extra oil next July

Saudi Arabia plans to increase its oil production by 200.000 barrels a day next month, the kingdom's oil minister told U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon on Sunday, according to Ban's spokesman. By July Saudi Arabia's output should be almost 10 million bpd.