Stories for October 10th 2011
China warns Washington of a ‘trade war’ if US Senate votes punishing the Yuan
China reiterated that an expected vote this week in the US Senate on a bill intended to pressure Beijing to allow its currency to raise if made into law would result in a trade war and hurt US-China ties.
CFK main presidential competitor promises “responsible opposition”
The Argentine Socialist Frente Amplio Progresista’s (FAP) presidential candidate Hermes Binner assured that if he doesn’t make it to a second round after October 23rd, his party will be part of a “responsible opposition.”
Largest virus ever discovered pulled off the coast of Chile
The largest virus yet discovered has been isolated from ocean water pulled up off the coast of Chile. Called Megavirus chilensis, it is 10 to 20 times longer than the average virus.
Markets react positively to Merkel/Sarkozy promise of Euro zone plan
Stocks rose sharply in Europe and in the US on Monday as investor sentiment were buoyed by a renewed pledge by France and Germany to come up with a plan to tackle the Euro zone debt crisis by month's end. International pressure has been building for bold steps from Europe to avert a global economic backlash.
Two US macro-economy experts awarded Nobel Prize in economics
US academics Thomas Sargent and Christopher Sims shared the 2011 Nobel Prize in economics for work that helps governments and central banks weigh up responses to crises -though it offers no immediate answer to current global problems.
Paraguayans living abroad closer to voting in national elections
A proposal to allow Paraguayans living abroad to vote in national elections at home won overwhelmingly, 90%, in a Sunday referendum, but turnout was minimum, just 10% of the electoral role.
Brazil, in friendly tone, asks Venezuela for fair Judges and freedom of expression
Brazil questioned the Venezuelan government guarantees for freedom of expression and Judiciary branch independence although at the same time saying it was a “good friend” of the government of President Hugo Chavez.
Mock referendum in Chile confirms massive support for education reform
A massive turnout of voters (‘hundreds of thousands’) responded in support of a non binding plebiscite organized by the Chilean professors union in the midst of the students conflict, one of the most serious challenges faced by any Chilean government since the return of democracy in 1990.
Paris Club group lays out terms for Argentina to repay defaulted debt
Members of the Paris Club group of creditors want Argentina to repay an estimated 9 billion dollars in defaulted debt within three years and to make a big initial payment, Buenos Aires newspaper La Nacion reported over the weekend.
CFK election win could be largest since return of democracy to Argentina in 1983
Argentine president Cristina Fernandez, CFK, is poised for an easy win with over 50% of vote intention for the October 23 election, according to several public opinion polls published over the weekend in the Buenos Aires press.
