Stories for June 2011
Parlasur member claims Mercosur summits have become ‘display of empty rhetoric’
Mercosur summits have become a display of empty rhetoric, full of protocol and ‘family photos’ but with no full hearted willingness to achieve a solid, fair integration, claimed the head of the Paraguayan delegation before Parlasur, the Mercosur Parliament.
Argentina’s soy bean crop will represent 8bn USD in levies for the Treasury
Soy export taxes for the 2010/2011 crop will represent 8 billion US dollars for the Argentine Treasury compared to 6.3bn in the previous season, according to estimates from the country’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
Central banks must raise interest rates to control inflation, says BIS
Central banks need to start raising interest rates to control inflation and may have to act faster than in the past according to the Bank of International Settlements.
US think-tank says hedge funds are behind “land grabs” in Africa
Hedge funds are behind “land grabs” in Africa to boost their profits in the food and bio-fuel sectors, a US think-tank says. In a report, the Oakland Institute said hedge funds and other foreign firms had acquired large swathes of African land, often without proper contracts. It said the acquisitions had displaced millions of small farmers.
Rioting in Buenos Aires as emblematic football team in relegated to second division
One of the great clubs of South American football, River Plate was relegated on Sunday from the Argentine first division for the first time in their 110-year history triggering clashes between enraged fans and the police that left dozens hospitalized and arrested.
Germany warns Greece: ‘no austerity plans approved, no release of funds’
German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble warned that a veto of the Greek government's austerity plans by parliament this week could mean Athens will not receive a bailout tranche it needs to remain solvent.
Provincial vote in extreme north and south confirm support for Cristina Fernandez
Provincial voting in the extreme north and extreme south of Argentina confirmed on Sunday support for the administration of Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and her ‘development model’ to be tested next October when she will be running for re-election.
Sao Paulo celebrates Gay Pride Day with the largest world turnout
Hundreds of thousands of people dancing and wearing costumes packed on Sunday the streets of Sao Paulo, South America's biggest city to celebrate June 26 gay pride day and call for an end to homophobia.
Three risk rating agencies have Colombia with investment grade
Fitch Ratings raised Colombia to investment grade last week, becoming the third Wall Street agency to elevate the country this year to the coveted status, opening the door to a broader range of investors.
Contradictory reports on the health condition of President Chavez
Venezuela’s Deputy Foreign Affairs minister Temir Porras said on Saturday President Hugo Chavez was rapidly recovering from surgery and described reports to the contrary published in the Miami press as ‘day dreaming’
