Stories for August 2010
Uruguay/Argentina implement the end of the pulp mill dispute
Argentina and Uruguay signed Monday in Montevideo the agreement which puts an end to an ongoing years-long litigation over the construction of a pulp mill along a shared river.
Former Chavez advisor claims Army weapons were supplied to Colombian FARC guerrilla
Carlos Molina Tamayo, a former national security advisor to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, claims that he was witness to the Venezuelan government first attempts to clandestinely supply Colombian FARC guerrillas with weapons.
UK press reports Britain and France could share aircraft carrier capability
Britain and France could share their aircraft carrier capability in a dramatic co-operation pact designed to maintain military power while cutting costs, it has been reported, reports the UK Press Association.
Uruguay government employees’ take-home pay doubles that of the private sector
Uruguayan government employees’ take-home pay on average more than doubles their counterparts in the private sector according to official figures from the country’s Social Security Office and published by Montevideo’s main daily El País.
Uruguayan soaring real estate values closely linked to depreciation of US dollar
Fears that Uruguay could be heading for a “real estate bubble” since prices in US dollars have increased more than 70% in the last five years, seem to have been neutralized by historic data and the strong appreciation of the Uruguayan currency.
HMS Gloucester helps catch £ 4 million of cocaine in mid Atlantic
Portsmouth-based HMS Gloucester en route to the Falkland Islands has helped capture £4 million worth of cocaine – hidden in a yacht's rudder. The Royal Navy ship intercepted the suspect yacht Tortuga in the mid-Atlantic.
Brazil preparing to act against the strong appreciation of its currency
Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega said foreign-based companies operating in Brazil should consider sending some profits home as the exchange rate is unlikely to remain as favorable as it is now.
Survey shows 3.7% of Chilean population lives in extreme poverty
A survey carried out in December 2009 found that Chile has 634,328 people (3.7% of the population) living in extreme poverty. Since 2006 this percentage has gone up by 0.5%, the first increase since 1990. Those affected are mainly in rural areas.
US has “permanent military bases” in Guantanamo and Falklands, says Castro
United States has permanent military bases in Guantamano (Cuba) and the Falkland Islands, but it is prepared and capable of setting up troops anywhere else in Latin America in “a matter of hours” said the ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro quoted by the official press.
China essential for Uruguay’s “international development”
Uruguay pledged efforts to seek a stronger relationship with Beijing since “China is an essential factor in the international development of Uruguay”, said Vice-President Danilo Astori following an hour long meeting in Beijing with his counterpart Wu Bangguo, president of the National Assembly.
