Stories for 2008

Friday, February 1st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Climate tests China's power; concern over food supplies

With forecasts of more snow and ice, chaos in the transport and energy systems that has left millions stranded or without electricity and water, Chinese authorities are desperately trying to convince people the situation is under control.
Friday, February 1st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
OPEC leaves output unchanged: market remains well supplied

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, left its oil production ceiling unchanged on Friday ignoring United States demands for an increase. The cartel insisted that the market remained well supplied and seemed to focus on supporting prices which have fallen 10% since the beginning of the year.
Friday, February 1st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Australia/Japan summit to address whaling dispute

Australia's Foreign Affairs minister Stephen Smith warned Friday of tougher action to stop Japan whaling, despite calls for calm from both sides over the increasingly emotive dispute.
Friday, February 1st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Brazil “optimistic” about its 5% growth estimate for 2008

Brazil's Finance Minister Guido Mantega said that “for the moment” there's no reason to change the country's growth estimate of 5% for 2008, in spite of global recession fears, which he believes will impact most on developed countries.
Friday, February 1st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Paraguay, candidate for Mercosur lady presidents' club

Paraguay's decades ruling party Partido Colorado formally registered this week a woman and former Education Minister as its candidate for the coming presidential election of April 20. She's the first woman in the country's history to run for president.
Thursday, January 31st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
US economy and consumer confidence weakening rapidly

United States economic growth fell sharply in the last three months of 2007 as the credit crunch took effect, according to the latest figures from the Department of Commerce. Overall growth rate in 2007 was 2.2%, the weakest since 2002.
Thursday, January 31st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Chilean Conservatives will preside over Congress in 2009

For the first time in half a century a right wing Deputy will become speaker of the Chilean Lower House following an agreement between the ruling coalition and the opposition conservative alliance.
Thursday, January 31st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
FBI and SEC probe into the sub prime mortgage crisis

The FBI is investigating at least fourteen companies embroiled in the sub-prime mortgage crisis as part of a crackdown on improper lending and inside information according to The Wall Street Journal.
Thursday, January 31st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Falklands waiting for majestic QE2 on her final world cruise

The world-famous Queen Elizabeth 2 passenger liner on her final world cruise left Montevideo on Wednesday and is expected to call in the Falkland Islands on Friday. It was her tenth and last call to Montevideo.
Thursday, January 31st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Argentine pickets act as “border patrol and issue passports”

Uruguayan officials reacted with dismay and indignation when it was confirmed that Argentine pickets are extending special “neighbor passes” to those wishing to cross a bridge linking the neighboring countries and which has been blocked in protest over the construction of a pulp mill in Uruguay.