Stories for December 17th 2007

Monday, December 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Paraguay: another woman president for Latinamerica?

A former Education Minister was leading a close race for the presidential nomination of Paraguay's ruling Colorado Party, opening the chance for a third sitting woman president in South America.
Monday, December 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Bolivia, Brazil, Chile reach Atlantic-Pacific highway deal

The presidents of Bolivia, Brazil and Chile met here Sunday to clinch a deal for South America's first east-west highway, linking Brazil's Atlantic coast to Chile's Pacific coast via Bolivia.
Monday, December 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Brazil and Argentina successfully launch first joint rocket

Brazil and Argentina have successfully launched a rocket into space in the first joint space mission by the two South American countries. The liftoff had been delayed four times because of weather conditions, reported Andreia Araujo from the Brazilian Space Agency.
Monday, December 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
EU joins the dispute and supports Botnia pulp mill in Uruguay

The European Union Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said on Sunday that the Botnia pulp mill in Uruguay which recently begun production and is at the heart of an acrimonious dispute with Argentina complies “reasonably” with environmental requisites.
Monday, December 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
“Normal arsenal updating, no arms race” in S. America

The recent surge in military expenditure particularly Chile and Venezuela has led to fears that South America might be involved in an arms race. However most experts feel that in spite of existing regional differences what is going on is a modernization process of the Armed Forces arsenals which are rapidly becoming obsolete.
Monday, December 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Second pulp mill in Uruguay breaks ground Januay 16

A second pulp mill is to break ground next January 16 in Uruguay, following an agreement reached between the Spanish corporation ENCE and the Uruguayan government, revealed the country's Deputy Housing and Environment minister Jaime Igorra.
Monday, December 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Mercosur summit challenge: how not to deepen differences

Mercosur presidential summit which begins Tuesday does not have much to show besides an unfinished agenda, pending proposals and a list of issues that if openly debated can prove explosive for an already anemic trade group.
Monday, December 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Uruguayan former military dictator charged and jailed

Uruguay's last military dictator, former General Gregorio Alvarez, was charged Monday with the forced disappearance of political prisoners. Human rights activists who have long campaigned for his prosecution cheered on the news and the country's trade union confederation called for a march in support of democracy in downtown Montevideo.
Monday, December 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Bs As. Herald purchased by Argentine group

The Buenos Aires Herald was sold to an Argentine publishing corporation which acquired 97% of the shares announced the newspaper to its readers over the weekend. The new owners print the financial newspaper Buenos Aires Económico and the magazines Veintitrés, Siete Días and the Spanish version of the US Newsweek.
Monday, December 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Wheat price surges above the 10 US$ per bushel benchmark

Global wheat prices surged more than 3% on Monday, with Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures breaking the 10 US dollar a bushel benchmark for the first time, on dwindling world supplies, a lack of sellers and a push from financial investors.