Stories for July 8th 2009
Auto production and sales in Brazil surge as confidence returns
Automobile output in Brazil climbed in June for the second straight month as manufacturers stepped up production to meet growing consumer demand, the national automakers' association Anfavea said on Monday.
Kirchners change some cabinet names but ratify course
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner named late Tuesday new cabinet chief and Economy minister in a cabinet shake-up supposedly aimed at helping her rebound from a crushing defeat in mid-term elections. However the opposition called it a “mild lifting” and demanded an immediate round of dialogue.
Uruguay’s ruling coalition cobbles presidential ticket
Finally at a brief and cool ceremony the Uruguayan ruling coalition announced on Monday evening the ticket for the coming October presidential election: the winner of the primary and former guerrilla leader Jose Mujica will head the slate with economist Danilo Astori as vice-president candidate.
Brazil and France call for a more “democratic world order”
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and visiting Brazilian President Lula da Silva called Tuesday for a more “democratic world order” that would give emerging economies a larger voice in international finance and justice affairs.
Mercosur power integration is “absurd” without Paraguay
Mercosur asymmetries in power generation are overwhelming and almost absurd, with Paraguay the main power exporter in South America unable to dispose of its energy surplus, claimed Ricardo Canese, member of the Mercosur Parliament in representation of Paraguay.
Mercosur soy bean reserves stand at a minimum
South America’s soy bean reserves suffered a strong reduction following recent sales while the global supply could be affected depending on the US crop and weather in the northern hemisphere according to Oil World latest forecast
UK political consensus for Armed Forces review and spending cuts
The United Kingdom government has laid the ground for the first full-scale review of Britain's armed forces for more than a decade once the general election is out of the way.
Loan delinquencies in the US hit a new record
The level of people falling behind with consumer loans in the US hit a new high in the first three months of 2009, the American Bankers Association said. Rising unemployment was behind the missed payments, it suggested.
Tokyo, Osaka, Moscow, Geneva, Hong Kong, most costly cities
London no longer stands among the most expensive cities in the world to live in, as the fall in value of sterling and declining house prices have made life less expensive in the UK capital according to Mercer consultancy.
Costa Rican president to lead mediation in Honduras political crisis
Costa Rican President Oscar Arias is to lead mediation to resolve the political crisis in Honduras. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made the announcement in Washington after meeting ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya.
