The current director-general of the World Trade Organization, Pascal Lamy, is the only candidate for the position. He was the only candidate when nominations closed on 31 December.
The world can expect another record crop of rice totalling 640 million tons, equivalent to 434 million tons of the elaborate grain, according to a report from Uruguay's Rice Planters association.
The mighty Parana River, one of South America's main waterways which connect the River Plate with the heartland of Argentina, Brazil and landlocked Paraguay and Bolivia has reached a low of 1.02 meters of water just 9 centimetres from the all time record of 0.93 in 1917.
On the eve of the 176th anniversary of the illegitimate occupation of the Islas Malvinas by the United Kingdom (January 3rd.) the administration of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner issued a statement emphasizing Argentina's sovereignty claims over the South Atlantic archipelago and described as unjustified the British negative to address the question.
In spite of a record year of exports, Brazil's 2008 trade surplus reached 24.7 billion US dollars which is a significant 38% descent compared to the previous year when it totalled more than 40 billion US dollars.
The Venezuelan government has cut the official number of dollars Venezuelans can spend abroad with their credit cards from $5,000 to $2,500 a year.
January first 2009 marks an important milestone in the history of the Falkland Islands as a new constitution takes effect, providing enhanced local democracy and internal self-government and enshrining the right of self-determination.
Pope Benedict marked World Day for Peace and the feast of Mary Mother of God Thursday appealing for a reworking of the global financial system and a spiritual and moral revolution that puts solidarity for the poor in pride of place.
Brazilians start 2009 facing the task of learning new spelling rules that have just come into effect.
Cuba's revolution is stronger than ever the country's president has said, as he led ceremonies marking the 50th anniversary of the overthrow of the US-backed government.