Stories for June 3rd 2010

Thursday, June 3rd 2010 - 23:10 UTC
Buffett defends credit rating agencies in Congressional hearings

Billionaire investor Warren Buffett has defended credit rating agencies for failing to spot the US mortgage bubble that sparked the financial crisis. Giving testimony in New York, Mr Buffett said the agencies “made the wrong call,” but added that so did everyone else, including himself.
Thursday, June 3rd 2010 - 22:58 UTC
Security, mutual trust and migration in Unasur dialogue with Washington

The need for a mutual-trust environment, which helps avoid situations of possible conflicts inside the region, is one of the main points the Union of South American Nations, Unasur, will be discussing with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, according to Ecuadorian diplomatic sources.
Thursday, June 3rd 2010 - 20:44 UTC
Falkland Islands De-mining Pilot Project – Completion of Phase 1

Completion of the Falkland Islands Programme phase 1 is now a reality. The De-mining Contractor, BACTEC International Ltd, has persevered through one of the coldest and wettest summers to deliver a successful project within the single austral summer period that was demanded within the contract. Like all demanding programmes, many lessons have been learned but only a few will be elaborated in this article.
Thursday, June 3rd 2010 - 06:47 UTC
Falklands Rockhopper oil company shares drop in spite of recent discovery

Rockhopper Exploration said Wednesday there’s no reason to believe that oil discovered in the Falkland Islands will not comply with quality expectations as originally stated.
Thursday, June 3rd 2010 - 06:30 UTC
Mujica and CFK agree to implement bilateral monitoring of the River Uruguay

Uruguay and Argentina pledged Wednesday to advance in a wide ranging 27-point agenda but most important to work within a 60-day scheme to perform a bilateral monitoring of the shared river Uruguay, where the construction of a pulp mill on the Uruguayan side soured bilateral relations for several years.
Thursday, June 3rd 2010 - 06:28 UTC
Argentina unable to lift Chinese ban on soy-oil imports in first round of talks

The Argentine trade mission sent to Beijing was unable to lift the ban on soy-oil imports imposed by China on Argentina. The Argentine delegation returned with the promise that further talks will be taking place but no dates were revealed.
Thursday, June 3rd 2010 - 06:26 UTC
Evo Morales hopeful of restabilising full relations with Washington

Bolivian president Evo Morales said he was hopeful an agreement could be reached for the full reestablishment of diplomatic, trade and investment relations with Washington.
Thursday, June 3rd 2010 - 06:21 UTC
Oliver Stone and film “South of the Border” greeted by thousands of Bolivians

Noted US political firebrand and film director Oliver Stone attended the Bolivian premiere of his documentary “South of the Border” Tuesday night at El Coliseo La Coronilla, an enormous indoor sports stadium in Cochabamba.
Thursday, June 3rd 2010 - 06:16 UTC
Spanish unemployment slightly down at start of summer season

Spanish registered unemployment declined for a second month in May as the start of the tourist season spurred hiring. The number of people registering for unemployment benefits fell by 76,223, or 1.84%, from April to 4.07 million, the Labor Ministry said Wednesday.
Thursday, June 3rd 2010 - 06:13 UTC
Cuban political prisoners’ families hopeful of further positive signs

The families of Cuban political prisoners expressed their hope Wednesday that those who are sick may be released. On Tuesday, Cuban authorities began the first transfers of political prisoners to jails near their homes, Catholic Church officials and the opposition said.