Stories for October 17th 2011

Monday, October 17th 2011 - 21:53 UTC
Military draft for 57.000 18-year olds in Chile, alleging students’ disruption

Chile is giving nearly 57.000 18-year-olds one month to report for potential military duty, saying the government needs to fill gaps in its armed forces because a nationwide student protest movement has reduced the number of volunteers it usually gets.
Monday, October 17th 2011 - 21:46 UTC
Spanish corporation will construct 70ml bio-ethanol plant in Uruguay

Spain’s Abengoa has announced that it will construct a bio-ethanol plant in the department of Paysandu, Uruguay, for Alcoholes de Uruguay, or ALUR. The contract, which includes the construction of an adjoining power cogeneration plant, is worth 120 million dollars.
Monday, October 17th 2011 - 21:41 UTC
IMF says Brazil could experience flight of capital if Euro crisis worsens

Brazil could experience a flight of capital should the European sovereign-debt crisis worsen, and the country may use interest rates and US dollar reserves to combat contagion, an International Monetary Fund director said.
Monday, October 17th 2011 - 21:36 UTC
Chile not immune but has “the tools to mitigate possible impacts”

Chile’s central bank and government have monetary and fiscal instruments to respond if growth moderates faster than forecast amid concern over the European debt crisis, bank board member Rodrigo Vergara said.
Monday, October 17th 2011 - 21:31 UTC
Former personal surgeon says Chavez has a very aggressive ‘pelvic tumor’

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is undergoing “rigorous” medical exams in Havana where he traveled Sunday night and hopefully will be back in Caracas mid week with “good news”.
Monday, October 17th 2011 - 19:12 UTC
What crisis? Luxury sector forecasted to expand 10% this year; Great China leads

The luxury sector is set to post double-digit growth this year to 191 billion Euros driven by the appetite of the Great China consumers for top-quality goods, according to a study by Bain & Company released on Monday
Monday, October 17th 2011 - 19:08 UTC
Close links between Social Assistance and presidential vote in Latin America

A paper from the University of Vanderbilt Latin America Public Opinion Project confirms that conditional cash transfers (CCT) by governments from the region condition to a great extent the vote in favour of the incumbent candidate.
Monday, October 17th 2011 - 18:09 UTC
International Oil and Gas expo in Buenos Aires with 300 exhibitors

Argentina's 8th International Oil & Gas Expo, sponsored by the Argentine Institute of Petroleum and Gas is taking place this week in Buenos Aires.
Monday, October 17th 2011 - 17:46 UTC
Europe’ watchdog raps EU banks for lack of transparency and disclosure

Not a single major European bank is providing enough transparency and detail on staff pay, and disclosure needs to improve, Europe's banking watchdog said on Monday.
Monday, October 17th 2011 - 17:39 UTC
Chile purchasing an 11.300 tons amphibious assault ship from the French navy

France and Chile are in the last stages of the transfer of the amphibious assault ship ‘Foudre’ to replace the decommissioned multipurpose ‘Valdivia’ that was extensively used for the transport of troops and military equipment, reported the Chilean navy.