Stories for June 2011
UN Economic Commission raises Latam’s growth estimate: 4.5% to 5%
The UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Eclac, raised its 2011 growth estimate for the region to between 4.5% and 5%, said Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena.
Chilean ski slopes prepare for an exceptional invasion of Brazilian tourists
Between 80 and 90% of hotel capacity has already been reserved at Chile’s leading ski resorts for the 2011 season. At Valle Nevado, Portillo, and Termas de Chillán - three of Chile’s leading ski resorts - reservations are up 10 to 20% compared to 2010, according to the Federation of Tourism Businesses (Fedetur).
US daily calorie intake up 30% in 30 years: cut on snacks and king size portion
Snacking and super sizing are two of the dieter's worst enemies, research suggests. The average daily calorie intake in the US has increased by almost a third in 30 years, reaching 2,374 kilocalories.
IMF urges a political agreement on the US federal debt ceiling
Failure by US lawmakers to agree soon on a deal to raise the government's borrowing limit could deliver a “severe shock” to a still fragile recovery and global markets, the International Monetary Fund warned.
Trade problems between Brazil and Argentina ‘persist’, but can be managed
Trade problems between Mercosur two main partners ‘subsist’, but both sides are optimistic that they can be solved. The revelation in the framework of the Mercosur summit follows weeks of discussions and paralyzing trade, sometimes for weeks at the borders.
Alleged hackers’ attack cancels Argentine senate debate on digital duties
The Argentine Senate had to cancel a debate scheduled for Wednesday to discuss digital duties following an alleged hackers attack. The bill looks to apply a new tax to the manufacturing of digital media players, whose earnings would go to writers and music composers.
Falklands/Malvinas: Mercosur supports Argentina; rejects UK Defence minister words
The Mercosur presidential summit unanimously supported Argentina’s legitimate sovereignty rights over the Falklands/Malvinas Islands and strongly rejected “regrettable statements” from British Defence Secretary Liam Fox regarding the use of force.
Chavez health mystery increases as major summit and celebrations are suspended
Venezuela has suspended a regional summit scheduled for 5 July, --which also coincides with the 200th anniversary of the country’s independence--, amid continuing speculation over the state of health of President Hugo Chavez.
Mercosur wants Bolivia and Ecuador to become full members
Mercosur plans to begin negotiations with associate members Bolivia and Ecuador to make them full members, said Brazilian Foreign Affairs minister Antonio Patriota during Wednesday’s presidential summit in Paraguay.
KLM will begin fuelling some of its flights with used cooking oil
Dutch carrier KLM announced Wednesday it would begin using used cooking oil for some of its flights. The announcement comes less than two years after the airline flew the first bio-kerosene-fuelled passenger flight in Europe.
