Stories for 2008

Friday, April 4th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Antarctica tour operators meeting in Punta del Este

The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, IAATA, will be holding its19th Annual General Meeting in Punta del Este, Uruguay from April 28 to May first. The changing industry and challenges, particularly environmental and safety will figure top of the agenda.
Thursday, April 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Kirchners Malvinas message: no war and no Winnie the Pooh

On the 26th anniversary of the beginning of the Falklands war, now renamed the Day of the Malvinas war veteran, Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner renewed calls for sovereignty over the South Atlantic Islands and emphasized that the Malvinas claim is “unflagging”.
Thursday, April 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
World rice production forecasted to increase 1.8% in 2008

UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has predicted that world rice production is expected to rise by 12 million metric tonnes or 1.8% in 2008, assuming normal weather.
Thursday, April 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Real too strong, warn Brazil's panel of “wise-economists”

Brazil's central bank must keep the benchmark interest rate unchanged for the time being and avert increases that would further strengthen the Real and derail an economic expansion, said two economic advisers of President Lula da Silva according to reports in the Sao Paulo financial press.
Thursday, April 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Bernanke in Congress admits “recession” is in his vocabulary

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warned on Wednesday that US gross domestic product (GDP) could contract in the first six months of 2008. If this happens the US would be in recession since two consecutive three-month periods of negative growth is generally accepted as such.
Thursday, April 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Hostage release and Paris Club in CFK Sarkozy summit

With the farmers' conflict in recess for thirty days, Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, CFK, is preparing to fly next Saturday to Paris where on Monday she will meet with French President Nicolas Sarkozy to work on an agenda of mutual interest which could have significant political benefits.
Wednesday, April 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chilean salmon industry reacts to NY Times allegations

The Chilean salmon industry rejected on Tuesday to an article from The New York Times which claims that local farmers use hormones to speed growth and antibiotics to deal with the infectious anemia, ISA, outbreak.
Wednesday, April 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Petrobas begins operations with extra heavy oil

Brazil's government managed oil corporation Petrobras announced Tuesday that its first oil rig designed to produce extra heavy petroleum went online on Tuesday. The special rig is located in the Badejo field in the Campos basin, off Rio do Janeiro according to a release from Petrobras.
Wednesday, April 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Sarkozy appeals directly to FARC for release of Betancourt

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has implored Colombia's rebel group FARC to free ailing hostage Ingrid Betancourt, saying she is in danger of dying. Mr Sarkozy has also announced a French mission to Colombia to try to get access to the hostage.
Wednesday, April 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Fears of inflation as Brazil's industrial output climb 9.7%

Brazil's industrial output climbed 9.7% in February, the highest in the last four months and the 20th straight gain in year-on year industrial production according to the latest release from the government.