Stories for 2007

Friday, October 5th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Brazil tightening on foreign purchase and ownership of land

Global liquidity in recent years has led to a boom, --and speculation--, in real estate and farming land in Mercosur member countries. Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay have seen land prices soar pushed by foreign buyers and now governments are reacting tightening restrictions on land ownership.
Friday, October 5th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Crucial referendum on Sunday for Costa Rica and C. America

On Sunday Costa Rica votes on a crucial free trade agreement with the United States which has the country's electorate split almost equal, according to the latest public opinion polls. The situation could be of concern for the future of Central America's most stable democracy.
Friday, October 5th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Ecuador willing to rework contracts with foreign oil companies

Ecuador offered on Friday to rework the contracts of foreign oil companies that object to a decree sharply reducing their share of windfall oil revenues. President Rafael Correa surprised companies on Thursday by decreeing that the government will take 99% of the profits gained when oil prices rise above contracted levels. Previously, it was a 50-50 split.
Friday, October 5th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Federal Reserve cools hopes of second rate cut this month

The United States Federal Reserve Board Vice Chairman Donald Kohn said on Friday policy makers must be “nimble” in setting interest rates given the risks of both slower U.S. economic growth and faster inflation.
Thursday, October 4th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
US dollar continues to drop against Chilean peso

The US Dollar dropped to its lowest value in relation to the Chilean Peso in over seven years on Monday, before slightly rebounding on Tuesday. Meanwhile, President Michelle Bachelet responded to this news by saying that the currency's continuing decline is a source of concern in Chile.
Thursday, October 4th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Australia's Billiton shrugs off Argentine legal actions threats

Resources giant BHP Billiton appears to have shrugged off the threat of legal sanctions by Argentina following the decision to acquire oil and gas exploration acreage off the disputed Falkland Islands according to reports in the Australian press
Thursday, October 4th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Uruguay September inflation 0.41%; 8.9% in 12 months

Consumer prices in Uruguay increased 0.41% in September, accumulating 8.67% in the nine months of 2007 and 8.9% in the last twelve months, according to the official Statistics Office, INE.
Thursday, October 4th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
US Secretary of Commerce visit to Brazil and Uruguay

United States Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez announced Wednesday he will travel to Uruguay Oct. 8-9 and Brazil Oct. 9-11 to discuss with senior government officials and the business community ways to promote greater bilateral trade, economic growth and opportunity and to foster greater commercial cooperation between the United States and both Uruguay and Brazil.
Thursday, October 4th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Cardiff unveiled the Welsh National Falklands Memorial

The first Falkland Islands war memorial in Wales was uneviled in Catahys Park, Cardiff, during a ceremony that gathered hundreds of South Atlantic war veterans.
Thursday, October 4th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Playboy photos reveal latest Brazilian political scandal

A beautiful journalist at the heart of one of the latest Brazilian Congress scandals has hit the cover of the Brazil edition of Playboy and become an instant sales success.