Stories for December 9th 2005

Friday, December 9th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

Drastic privatization of Chinese companies

The Chinese private sector expanded 50% between 2001 and 2004 when the number of private companies reached 1.9 million according to a release this week from the Chinese Statistics Office.

Friday, December 9th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

Chile: Inflation contracts but interest rates are up

The strong drop in fuel prices helped contract Chile's November consumer prices index by 0,2%, with similar prospects extending to December according to the latest monthly release from the country's Central Bank.

Friday, December 9th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

Peru announces free trade agreement with United States

Peru announced Wednesday the signing of a free trade agreement with United States, which President Alejandro Toledo described as “great news but also a great challenge”.

Friday, December 9th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

Chilean Navy receives first of two state of the art submarines

The Chilean Navy brand new submarine “O'Higgins” built by a French-Spanish consortium is scheduled to arrive in Valparaíso Friday.

Friday, December 9th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

Poll confirms runoff in Chile's presidential election

The Chilean ruling coalition presidential candidate Michelle Bachelet leads comfortably in the latest public opinion poll released Thursday, 48 hours before Sunday's vote.

Friday, December 9th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

Latinamericans most skeptical about corruption

Latin Americans are the people more inclined to view their countries' institutions and politics as corrupt, according to a Gallup survey commissioned by the anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International.

Friday, December 9th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

Chavez preaches socialism in Uruguay

Latin America should become ever more socialist and more “radical” to move ahead, develop and so meet the challenges facing its peoples, said Thursday Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez during a visit to a small village in Uruguay.

Friday, December 9th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

Backing for Indian leader in Bolivian election

The Organization of American States, (OAS), Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza currently visiting Ecuador announced that in the event of Indian leader Evo Morales victory in Bolivia's coming presidential election, he would have the full support of the institution.

Friday, December 9th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

Brazil confirms another outbreak of FAM

Brazil's Agriculture Ministry confirmed this week another outbreak of foot and mouth disease, two months alter an initial outbreak led several countries to ban Brazilian beef and pork imports.

Friday, December 9th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

Penguin News Update.

Headlines:
Fisheries meeting is non-starter; Battle of the Falkland Islands remembered; De-mining meeting; Mobile Stanley; Search continues; This week's cruisers.