Stories for January 11th 2010

Tuesday, January 12th 2010 - 04:29 UTC
China’s foreign trade expands again becoming the world’s largest exporter

China's exports rose 17.7% in December, state media have reported, suggesting the country has overtaken Germany as the world's largest exporter. The rise, compared to a year earlier, breaks a 13-month decline in trade as a result of the global downturn.
Tuesday, January 12th 2010 - 04:19 UTC
Vargas Llosa: OAS is “useless, inefficient and at times dangerous”

“If there is an organization in Latinamerica which is inefficient, useless and at times dangerous precisely because of its inefficiency, it’s the Organization of American States, OAS”, said Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa.
Tuesday, January 12th 2010 - 03:57 UTC
Uruguay's leader may join “responsible left” bloc

Mr. Oppenheimer is an Argentine born columnist from The Miami Herald who writes regularly about Latinamerican affairs. His opinions and comments, well supported with data and quotes, are taken into account by corporations and businesses with interests in the region.
One of his latest contributions refers to Uruguay and its recently elected president, a former left wing guerrilla leader. The heading is not necessarily that informative since Uruguay already belongs to the group identified as “responsible left”.
Tuesday, January 12th 2010 - 03:40 UTC
French Caribbean Overseas territories voted against more autonomy

Voters in the French overseas departments of Martinique and French Guiana rejected proposals that would have given them more autonomy from France. Martinique, in the Caribbean, voted 78.9% against greater autonomy in a Sunday referendum and Guiana, voted 69.8%, the Ministry of Overseas Collectivities said. Turnout was 55.35% in Martinique and 48.16% in Guiana.
Tuesday, January 12th 2010 - 03:37 UTC
Ashton promises “one coherent strategy” for EU foreign policy

The European Union is in a position to assume a “stronger, more credible role in the world,” the nominee for the EU top foreign policy post says. The UK's Catherine Ashton was speaking to Euro MPs, who have started grilling the commissioners-designate on their new roles and qualifications.
Tuesday, January 12th 2010 - 01:36 UTC
Crucial debate for the Chilean presidential run-off between Piñera and Frei

Chilean Conservative billionaire businessman Sebastián Piñera and centre-left candidate (and former president) Senator Eduardo Frei face-off this Monday evening in their first and only national debate since the December 13 first-round vote eliminated Communist Party candidate Jorge Arrate and independent candidate Marco Enriquez Ominami (MEO).
Tuesday, January 12th 2010 - 01:28 UTC
“Chile’s accession to OECD a major milestone”

Chile signs up as the 31st member of the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) and its first member in South America on January 11. For Chile, this marks recognition of nearly two decades of democratic reform and sound economic policies. For the OECD, it is a major milestone in its mission to build a stronger, cleaner and fairer global economy.
Monday, January 11th 2010 - 13:17 UTC
Vargas Llosa calls for the decriminalizing of drugs’ consumption

Peruvian renowned writer Mario Vargas Llosa proposed “decriminalizing” consumption of drugs as a way to stop the narcotics trade, in a column published in Lima’s most influential daily El Comercio Sunday edition.
Monday, January 11th 2010 - 13:12 UTC
Uruguay benefiting from Argentina’s constitutional showdown

The constitutional showdown in Argentina triggered by President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner attempt to fire Central Bank president Martin Redrado will benefit Uruguay that is poised to receive more investments from Argentine businessmen, according to Uruguayan financial sources quoted in the local media.
Monday, January 11th 2010 - 13:09 UTC
Chavez warns Army will take control of businesses that increase prices

Venezuela's President, Hugo Chavez, has said troops will seize control of any business that increases prices in response to the devaluation of its currency.