Stories for August 17th 2008
New Paraguay president Lugo meets with poor
Paraguay's new leftist president returned Saturday to the province where he spent 11 years as bishop, and pledged to raise living standards by eradicating poverty and corruption in one of South America's poorest nations.
Obama plans to visit Mexico, Brazil and Chile before election
Chile, Brazil and Mexico are among the countries which could be visited by United States presidential candidate Barack Obama before the November election, following on recommendations for a Latinamerican tour from his political advisors.
“Bye, Bye Mercosur” promises Uruguayan presidential hopeful
One of the Uruguayan leading opposition presidential hopefuls questioned once again the attitude of Mercosur senior members (Argentina and Brazil) in trade issues adding that the reiterated presence of Venezuela's Hugo Chavez only confirms that the South American trade block has become increasingly and predominantly “political”.
Frozen fish narcotics export ring busted in Montevideo port
Uruguay's fishing industry has come under the spotlight of the Montevideo and Spanish police narcotics departments following the arrest of a Spanish citizen and the discovery of containers to be exported with 300 kilos of cocaine hidden among the frozen fish.
NY prosecutors make banks repay billions for misselling
New York State's attorney general has threatened to sue Merrill Lynch for misrepresenting certain debt investments as safer than they were. Andrew Cuomo said that legal action against the US bank was “imminent” after it failed to settle charges of mis-selling with regulators.
Argentine economy suffering “fatigue”, admits government
The Argentine economy seems to be suffering of “fatigue” according to the latest official reports and which had been anticipated by President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner earlier in the week.
Uruguay's meat exports in seven months: 983 m. USD
During the first seven months of this year Uruguay meat exports totaled 983 million US dollars, 54% higher than the same period in 2007, of which beef represents 84% and lamb 4%, according to the country's Nacional Institute of Meats, INAC.
Chile: dioxin traces quarantines four more pork factories
Chile's Health Ministry quarantined four more pork factories last Thursday after Canadian health officials confirmed high levels of the carcinogenic chemical dioxin in their pork meat products.
Japanese economy sliding downwards to recession
The Japanese economy contracted by 0.6% between April and June, prompting fears that it is sliding towards recession. Declining exports and consumer demand were behind the fall - the first for more than a year - which came after a rise of 0.8% in the previous quarter.
“Fire-safe” cigarettes mandatory in the EU as of 2011
As of 2011 all cigarettes sold in the European Union will have to be self-extinguishing in a bid to combat thousands of fire-related deaths and injuries. EC officials said a meeting of experts from all 27 EU member states was expected to endorse proposals by Consumer Protection Commissioner Meglena Kuneva.
