Stories for October 2011

Tuesday, October 18th 2011 - 08:49 UTC
Supreme Court knocks out main challenger to President Chavez re-election

Venezuela's Supreme Court blocked high-profile opposition challenger Leopoldo López on Monday from running against President Hugo Chávez in a 2012 vote despite an international ruling in his favour.
Tuesday, October 18th 2011 - 07:12 UTC
Rousseff announces massive investment in urban transport projects

President Dilma Rousseff said Monday that her administration plans to invest 30 billion Reais (17 billion dollars) in urban transportation projects across Brazil.
Tuesday, October 18th 2011 - 07:06 UTC
Chilean mountains hold the world’ largest space research infrastructure

The Chilean Foreign Ministry officially signed over a total of 213 square miles of land to the European Organization for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) last Thursday to begin construction of the world’s largest optical telescope, the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT).
Tuesday, October 18th 2011 - 02:43 UTC
Falling profits and Flight 447 tragedy trigger major reshuffle in Air France-KLM

Air France-KLM Group recalled Jean- Cyril Spinetta, 68, as chief executive officer and ousted Pierre-Henri Gourgeon amid slumping earnings and questions regarding the role of pilots in a fatal crash.
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