Stories for June 23rd 2009
Latest News feedUruguay’s imports plummet for the fifth month running, 41% in May
Uruguay’s imports again plummeted in May for the fifth month running, with the highest inter-annual negative rate, 41%, according to the latest data from the Central Bank released this week.
World Bank forecasts Uruguayan economy growth of 0.8% in 2009
The World Bank estimates the Uruguayan economy will expand 0.8% this year and begin a gradual recovery in 2010 with growth reaching 2.3%. In spite of the poor 2009 estimate, it will be one of the highest of the region together with Peru, Panama, Bolivia, Belize and Guyana.
South American wines help overcome the global crisis
As the world grits its teeth and grabs another glass of something to chase the blues away, South American wine producers are watching exports bounce. International wine sales from places like Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Peru are up in the first quarter of 2009, and industry professionals are saying the crisis has been positive for them.
South Atlantic sanctuary on bargaining table of Whaling Commission
Peace talks on whales and whaling are to continue for a further year. Delegates to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) annual meeting in the Portuguese island of Madeira agreed it was worth extending reform talks that began a year ago
Itaipu dispute postpones Mercosur presidential summit in Paraguay
The Mercosur presidential summit has been postponed for July 24 and 25 it was reported Monday from Asunción, Paraguay, the host of the event. Three of the four full members of the trade group, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, proposed the change from the original July 3 and 4 arguing political and electoral reasons.
Andes Aymaras celebrate arrival of winter solstice and New Year 5517
With hands extended towards the blue sky and at six Celsius below zero, thousands gathered on June 21st to receive the first sun rays from Tata Inti (Sun God) in Tiwanaku, Bolivia, in coincidence with the celebration of the winter solstice in the Southern hemisphere which signals the beginning of New Year Aymara 5517.
The Economist: the glass empties for the Kirchners
Recession and political mistakes by the first couple point to a change in the balance of power. But will Argentina at last acquire a more coherent opposition?
New legislation envisions Brazil as oil resources and technological giant
The Brazilian Executive will present a bill aimed at increasing government control of offshore oil reserves to Congress in July before an annual legislative holiday. However the existing oil exploration rights which have been sold under the current auction system will not be changed with the new proposals.
Brazilian currency and stock market drop on World Bank forecast
Brazil’s currency, Real fell the most in four months battered by the World Bank’s prediction of a deeper recession in 2009 pushed by investors fleeing higher-yielding, emerging-market assets.
Tory named Speaker of the House of Commons
Britain’s opposition Conservative Member of Parliament Tory John Bercow won the race to replace Michael Martin as Speaker of the House of Commons. Mr Bercow, MP for Buckingham, topped all three secret ballots - beating his only challenger in the third round, Sir George Young - by 51 votes.
