Stories for August 2009

Thursday, August 13th 2009 - 08:04 UTC
Chileans take advantage of vacation packages to Mexico and the Caribbean

More Chileans are choosing the tropics this year as vacation package prices to Cancun and the Caribbean have dropped an average of 30% in 2009.
Thursday, August 13th 2009 - 08:02 UTC
GM says Chevy Volt could top 230 miles-per-gallon

General Motors officially unveiled the Volt, which according to the company can travel up to 40 miles on a single battery charge. The car will likely start production later this year. According to GM, the Volt will get city fuel economy of at least 230 miles-per-gallon, and come packaged with a flex fuel-powered engine-generator. The range of the Volt will be 300 miles, GM said.
Thursday, August 13th 2009 - 07:49 UTC
InterContinental Hotels report loss: “business remains elusive”

The British group which manages InterContinental Hotels, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn revealed that it plunged into losses in the first six months of 2009 and forecast a “tough” second half as the recession keeps business travellers at home. That compares with a net profit of 163 million dollars in the same part of 2008.
Wednesday, August 12th 2009 - 19:40 UTC
Back to the sea for Falklands fisheries research

AFTER eighteen months without a research vessel, the Fisheries Department (FIFD) will be back on the water in October 2009 with a survey in the western parts of the FICZ. The survey will examine the distribution and abundance of hoki and Patagonian hake returning to their feeding grounds after spawning in Argentinean and Chilean waters.
Wednesday, August 12th 2009 - 12:30 UTC
President Oscar Arias sick with H1N1 virus.

Costa Rican President Oscar Arias is said to have the H1N1 virus. He was placed under medical care at his home, but he will not delegate power in the meantime, Presidency Minister Rodrigo Arias said.
Wednesday, August 12th 2009 - 12:19 UTC
Chavez and Cristina sign a billion USD trade agreement

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez received on Tuesday Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner in Caracas to sign agreements expanding trade between the two countries. Among the deals was an accord to import as many as 10,000 cars from Argentina this year instead of Colombia.
Wednesday, August 12th 2009 - 12:12 UTC
Oil at 70 USD per barrel threatens fragile global recovery, says IEA

A fragile global economic recovery will be hurt if oil prices stay at 70 USD per barrel or rise higher, according to International Energy Agency (IEA) Chief Economist Fatih Birol. The IEA advises 28 industrialised countries.
Wednesday, August 12th 2009 - 12:10 UTC
“Discrimination-free” and when possible “free-of-charge” soccer in Argentina

The Argentine Football Federation Executive Committee agreed Tuesday to end the contract that for two decades had united AFA with television company Televisión Satelital Codificada, owner of the television rights for Argentina’s soccer.
Wednesday, August 12th 2009 - 12:02 UTC
Chinese economy recovering on government stimulus spending

New economic figures show that China's export-geared economy still has weaknesses, but is showing signs of recovery. Still, there are warnings that much of the gain is dependent on government stimulus spending.
Wednesday, August 12th 2009 - 11:58 UTC
OPEC expects demand for crude to decline further next year

Oil prices have fallen after producers group OPEC said it now expected demand for its crude to decline further than predicted next year. Blaming the slow nature of the global economic recovery, OPEC now expects demand for its crude to average 27.97 million barrels per day in 2010.