Stories for August 2010

Thursday, August 5th 2010 - 05:00 UTC
Snow in Brazil, below zero Celsius in the River Plate and tropical fish frozen

For a second day running it snowed Wednesday in Southern Brazil and in twelve of Argentina’s 24 provinces including parts of Buenos Aires as a consequence of the polar front covering most of the continent’s southern cone with zero and below zero temperatures.
Thursday, August 5th 2010 - 04:51 UTC
Germany recognizes Latin America’s new economic and diplomatic might

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle presented a new Latin America strategy Wednesday that he said finally did justice to the burgeoning region's new economic and diplomatic might.
Thursday, August 5th 2010 - 04:45 UTC
Argentine economy picks up strongly, forecasted to expand 7% in 2010

Argentina's GDP will reach 7% this year based on a strong domestic demand, Economy Minister Amado Boudou said on Wednesday. The announcement follows earlier in the week reports that the Consumer Confidence index ICC has increased 2.9% in July over a year ago.
Thursday, August 5th 2010 - 01:33 UTC
Walmart is Latin America’s single largest employer, says Latin Business

The single largest employer in Latin America is US-based retailer Walmart, according to the first annual ranking of Latin America’s Top 60 Employers from Latin Business Chronicle.
Thursday, August 5th 2010 - 01:32 UTC
Mining and agriculture disputing scarce water resources in northern Chile

With the mining industry increasing its presence in northern Chile, problems over resources are arising between the mining and agricultural industries, especially over water.
Wednesday, August 4th 2010 - 23:31 UTC
Mercosur reminds Paraguay of “quick conclusion” to Venezuela’s incorporation

Mercosur presidents, meeting in Argentina, called for a “quick conclusion” of Venezuela’s incorporation process to the block which remains stalled at the Paraguayan congress.
Wednesday, August 4th 2010 - 22:08 UTC
Venezuela’s oil corporation profits plummet because of “•global capitalist crisis”

State-owned Petroleos de Venezuela SA earnings reached 4.49 billion US dollars in 2009, down from 9.41 billion in 2008, Energy and Petroleum Minister Rafael Ramirez revealed this week. Speaking at PDVSA headquarters in Caracas, he cited the “global capitalist crisis” as a major factor in the sharp fall in net income.
Wednesday, August 4th 2010 - 22:00 UTC
Brazil ready for first television clash between Dilma Rousseff and Serra

Brazil’s main presidential candidates will be holding their first televised debate Thursday evening less than two months to voting day October 3. The debate has been organized by Bandeirantes Television and will also include two other candidates with lesser chance, so all eyes will be set on incumbent Dilma Rousseff and opposition leader Jose Serra
Wednesday, August 4th 2010 - 21:57 UTC
Santander takes over 318 branches from Royal Bank of Scotland

Royal Bank of Scotland has agreed to sell 318 branches to Santander for a premium of £350 million on the assets' value. The sale includes 311 RBS-branded branches in England and Wales, and seven NatWest branches in Scotland.
Wednesday, August 4th 2010 - 21:55 UTC
Released Cuban dissident arrives in Chile as political refuge

One of the 20 released Cuban political prisoners who arrived in Spain last month left on Tuesday to settle in Chile. Jose Ubaldo Izquierdo Hernandez, 44 arrived in Santiago de Chile Wednesday accompanied by his wife, children and several other family members after having stayed almost two weeks in a Madrid hotel.