Stories for October 20th 2011

Thursday, October 20th 2011 - 21:41 UTC
Argentina/Brazil clash over restrictions to footwear imports

Argentine and Brazilian footwear manufacturers clashed this week over restrictions to trade, mainly through the delay in approving import licences but agreed to keep talking next month in Rio do Janeiro.
Thursday, October 20th 2011 - 21:36 UTC
Brazil lowers basic rate half a point for a second time running to 11.5%

Brazil’s central bank cut borrowing costs by half a point for a second straight meeting. The bank’s board, led by President Alexandre Tombini, voted unanimously to reduce the benchmark Selic rate to 11.5% from 12% percent.
Thursday, October 20th 2011 - 21:25 UTC
Basque ETA group calls a “definitive cessation” of hostilities, reports BBC

The Basque separatist group ETA says it has called a “definitive cessation” to its campaign of bombings and shootings. In a statement provided to the BBC, Eta called on the Spanish and French governments to respond with “a process of direct dialogue”.
Thursday, October 20th 2011 - 21:22 UTC
European Union remains split on how to strengthen Euro zone bailout fund

The European Union has agreed that around 100 billion Euros is needed to recapitalise the European banking system, but splits remain before a high-profile summit on Sunday over how to strengthen the Euro zone's bailout fund.
Thursday, October 20th 2011 - 21:16 UTC
Chavez declares he’s free of cancer; makes pilgrimage to Catholic miraculous shrine

Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez self-declared he was cancer-free on Thursday four months after surgery to remove a cancerous tumour that shook the oil rich country ahead of a 2012 presidential vote.
Thursday, October 20th 2011 - 21:09 UTC
European leaders call on Libyans to build a strong and democratic future

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Thursday that the death of Muammar Gaddafi turned a page for the Libyan people and signalled the start of a democratic process.
Thursday, October 20th 2011 - 07:08 UTC
“Few chances” of an EU/Mercosur trade agreement in a context of global crisis

In the current global context “it’s hard to see an advance in the free trade negotiations with the European Union” said on Wednesday the block’s High representative Ambassador Samuel Pinheiro Guimaraes.
Thursday, October 20th 2011 - 07:05 UTC
IBSA group plans 25bn trade and FTA with Mercosur and Sacu

In an attempt to accelerate talks on a trilateral free trade agreement (FTA) , the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) summit decided to hold an annual meeting of trade ministers from the three countries beginning from March next year.
Thursday, October 20th 2011 - 07:00 UTC
Lula da Silva: only way out for the crisis is growth and jobs, not balanced budgets

Former Brazilian president Lula da Silva recommended European Union leaders to stop discussing balancing budgets and recapitalization of banks and find a solution to the current crisis through more economic growth, more trade and more jobs.
Thursday, October 20th 2011 - 06:55 UTC
Amazon Indians reach La Paz rattling Morales grip over government

Hundreds of members from indigenous tribes opposing a jungle highway financed by Brazil and that they say will spoil their lands in Bolivia's Amazon drew cheers Wednesday when they paraded into the capital La Paz after a 63-day protest march.