Stories for July 29th 2008

Tuesday, July 29th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Right moment for Montevideo port to become regional hub

The recurrent conflicts in Brazilian ports are having a direct impact on River Plate maritime traffic but the situation could be overcome if Montevideo expands its facilities and becomes a hub for the region, according to maritime agents.
Tuesday, July 29th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
IMF warns credit crunch is extending to the whole world

The global credit crunch shows no signs of abating, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In its latest global financial stability report the IMF says that falling house prices and slowing economic growth are hitting credit.
Tuesday, July 29th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Paraguay's incoming government reiterates support for Mercosur

Paraguay is not planning to abandon Mercosur “in spite of the overall disappointment because we have received no advantages” said the incoming Foreign Affairs minister of president elect Fernando Lugo.
Tuesday, July 29th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
UN General Assembly president visits South America

General Assembly President Srdjan Kerim left Monday night to Latin America for a three-country visit that will focus on issues ranging from climate change and financing for development to counter-terrorism efforts and advancing reform of the United Nations.
Tuesday, July 29th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chilean mining companies, Latam's most profitable

Chilean mining companies top the list of Latin America's 500 most profitable companies, according to the magazine América Economía.
Tuesday, July 29th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
UN outgoing chief of missions says “force does matter”

The days of United Nations missions fielding only unarmed observers are long past, according to the outgoing head of the world body's peacekeeping operations, who said on Tuesday that peacekeepers need to be able to wield force to get respect and make a difference.
Tuesday, July 29th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
OPEC president predicts oil below 100 USD a barrel

The price of crude sunk to below 121 US dollars a barrel, touching on its lowest point since May, in the wake of a strengthening dollar and the comments of OPEC president Chakib Khelil, who called current prices “abnormal” and predicted that the barrel price could sink below 100 dollars in the long term.
Tuesday, July 29th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Air industry future is here: merger of British and Iberia

British Airways is on the verge of joining forces with Spanish carrier Iberia after revealing both companies' boards' unanimously support an all-share merger. In a statement British Airways said it was in talks with Iberia with a view to an all-share merger of the two companies.
Tuesday, July 29th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
President-preacher administration 10 year list of “records”

Examples of loquacity, extensive traveling and nepotism are some of the records that the Miami based Spanish language daily “Nuevo Herald” has collected as a “present” extended to the controversial Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez on his 54th birthday, celebrated on Monday July 28th.
Tuesday, July 29th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Trade talks failure, seen as death kiss for multilateralism

Marathon talks in Geneva aimed at liberalizing global trade have collapsed admitted the head of the World Trade Organisation Pascal Lamy. Officials have blamed China, India and the US for failing to agree on import rules.