Stories for December 1st 2010
Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Caruana entangled over the Andorra status
Gibraltar Chief Minister Peter Caruana has moved to lance the bubble of speculation that followed reports of his mention of the Andorra (*) status at a talk to political and business leaders in Seville last week.
Public opinion perception of corruption in Chile remains high
Just over 30% of Chileans consider state corruption in Chile to be extensive; but this is down 23% from 2006.
Lula da Silva’s 8 years marked by corruption and crime, says a Wikileak cable
Brazilian president Lula da Silva concludes his eight years in office with a performance marked by open corruption “among his closest political allies”, with a “plague” of vote-buying in Congress and the ruling party, and without having given a reply to the issue of crime.
Argentina “surprised” US intelligence gathering was done by diplomatic channels
In what is considered to be the first official statement by the Argentine government in the Wikileaks scandal, Argentine ambassador to the UN Jorge Argüello said on Tuesday that the released documents “are a delicate matter that will put the US at least in an embarrassing position.”
Brazil plans unmanned air surveillance along Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia borders
Rio do Janeiro media has disclosed that the Brazilian government wants to use unmanned air vehicles, VANT, along the border areas of neighbouring countries, Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguay and Colombia.
China opens market to Argentine beef, barley, dairy produce and apples
China and Argentina have signed agreements to allow the import to China of de-boned beef, dairy products, apples, bamboo and barley, China's quarantine administration said on Wednesday. However no mention was made of an expected deal on corn.
South America’s main naval show takes off in Chile; HMS Gloucester present
With the participation of delegations from 34 countries South America’s largest naval exposition was officially opened Tuesday in Valaparaíso. The seventh edition of ExpoNaval is scheduled to last until next Friday with business deals reaching 600 million US dollars according to the organizers.
Euro at 11 month low and Portuguese banks face “intolerable risk”
The Euro remains near 11-month lows against the US dollar as European debt concerns continue to focus on Portugal. With the Portuguese government due to auction 500m Euros of bonds later, analysts are waiting to see the extent of market interest.
Food industry in Brazil unable to fill 3.000 jobs with competent staff
In a clear signal of the lack of qualified labour which is suffering the booming Brazilian economy, the powerful Marfrig meats’ processing group admitted it was having difficulties to fill 3.000 vacancies with competent personnel.
UK company secures contract to repair and maintain Chilean navy frigates
UK BAE Systems has secured a two year extended agreement with Chilean ship build and repair organisation ASMAR to provide support to the country's navy Type 22 and Type 23 frigates in a move that is set to enhance Chile's naval capability.
