Stories for 2008

Tuesday, November 18th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Chavez' home state and family becoming election liabilities

With less than a week left for next Sunday's municipal and governor elections Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez arrived in his homeland to boost the campaign of his family who are candidates for the main posts of the province of Barinas and the city of Sabanera.
Tuesday, November 18th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Chinese president in Cuba on leg of Latam tour

President Hu Jintao began a two-day visit to Cuba by agreeing to increase Chinese purchases of Cuban nickel and sugar, and send farm goods to the communist-run island as it recovers from three devastating storms.
Tuesday, November 18th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
China still has Latin American ambitions

China isn't letting the global financial crisis shrink its ambitions in Latin America, where it has sunk billions into mining and replaced the United States as Chile's top trading partner.
Tuesday, November 18th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Cash strapped Ford and GM sell stakes in Mazda and Suzuki

Troubled US carmaker Ford Motor is selling a 20% stake in Japan's carmaker Mazda Motor. The announcement follows General Motors decision to sell its 3% stake in carmaker Suzuki for 230 million US dollars to raise cash.
Tuesday, November 18th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
As recession advances US wholesale prices fall 2.8% in October

Falling energy costs meant US wholesale prices dropped by 2.8% in October, the biggest one-month decline since records began more than 60 years ago. The larger-than-expected fall was triggered by a 12.8% drop in energy prices, the biggest monthly decline for 22 years.
Tuesday, November 18th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Two months Xmas leave for crew short Australian Navy

Christmas has come early to Australian sailors after the country's navy ordered an extended two-month holiday in response to staff shortages and a drive to attract and retain sailors with a better work-life balance.
Tuesday, November 18th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Shareholders unite: Barclays cancels directors' bonuses

Britain's Barclays PLC has said that executive directors will not receive any annual bonus this year as the bank seeks to pacify investors over its £7 billion fundraising. The bank also announced that all members of its board, including chief executive John Varley and investment banking boss Bob Diamond, are to be put up for re-election at its AGM next April.
Tuesday, November 18th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
UK inflation drops fastest rate in 16 years; deflation fears

Inflation in the United Kingdom is dropping at its fastest rate for 16 years thanks to falling fuel prices. The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) slowed to 4.5% in October from 5.2% the previous month.
Tuesday, November 18th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
China joins IDB and contributes with 350 million USD

China will join the Inter-American Development Bank as a donor member, building on its growing links with Latin America and the Caribbean. China will become the 48th member country in the Washington, DC-based IDB, the single largest source of long-term lending for the region.
Tuesday, November 18th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Salmon disease outbreak reappears in Magallanes region

Six months after authorities confirmed an initial, presumably isolated case of Infectious Salmon Anemia (ISA) in Magallanes (Region XII) the deadly fish disease is back: appearing recently on two farms in Chile's southernmost zone.