Stories for October 29th 2008

Wednesday, October 29th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Mexico approves opening oil industry to private sector

In a turbulent session, the Mexican Congress Tuesday approved seven bills reforming the state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex), which holds a monopoly on the industry, to allow participation by private international firms.
Wednesday, October 29th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Latam markets follow on W. Street and Fed's expected cut

Major Latinamerican markets recovered strongly Tuesday as investors in the region and on Wall Street set aside worries about global recession to take part in a buying spree convinced that the Fed would announce further interest rate cuts on Wednesday.
Wednesday, October 29th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Regional meeting of UN agencies in Latin America

Environmental cooperation, the impact of the global financial crisis on United Nations efforts to slash poverty and the role of women in tackling climate change will be on the agenda when Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro heads to Seoul for an official visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK).
Wednesday, October 29th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Fed cuts rate to 1%; deflation could become major threat

The United States Federal Reserve cut on Wednesday the key interest rate from 1.5% to 1% in a widely expected move with the purpose of promoting “a return to moderate economic growth”.
Wednesday, October 29th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Companies sign code of conduct committed to online free speech

Microsoft, Google and Yahoo have signed a global code of conduct promising to offer better protection for online free speech and against official intrusion. The Global Network Initiative follows criticism that companies were assisting governments in countries like China to censor the Internet.
Wednesday, October 29th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Top Chilean party leader resigns after electoral debacle

The head of the main party in Chile's ruling centre-left coalition quit on Tuesday and has given up on competing in next year's presidential race, following a poor showing in Sunday's municipal elections.
Wednesday, October 29th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Overwhelming UN support to end US embargo on Cuba

The United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly 185-3 on Wednesday to renew its annual demand that the United States end its 46 year trade and financial embargo against Cuba.
Wednesday, October 29th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
WWW warns about incoming “ecological credit crunch”

Human demands on the world's resources are nearly a third more than what the earth can sustain, setting the stage for an “ecological credit crunch,” says a new report. The WWF's 2008 Living Planet Report, which offers a summery of the planet's health, says future generations will face a “crunch” if humans continue to amass an ecological deficit.
Wednesday, October 29th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Uruguay's diaspora 700.000, approx. 21.1% of total population

An estimated 700.000 Uruguayans are overseas residents according to a report from the Uruguayan Foreign Affairs ministry based on the recompilation of data from communities in 32 countries and 28 cities.