Stories for December 20th 2011

Tuesday, December 20th 2011 - 22:43 UTC
Moody's praises UK management but warns of “formidable and rising challenges”

Ratings agency Moody's has given the UK high scores for economic governance but warns the country it faces “formidable and rising challenges”.
Tuesday, December 20th 2011 - 21:48 UTC
Venezuela’s full incorporation doesn’t have to be decided today, said Chavez

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez arrived in Uruguay on Friday to push for his country's incorporation into the Mercosur trade bloc, in his first official trip abroad since undergoing cancer surgery in June.
Tuesday, December 20th 2011 - 21:02 UTC
Uruguay bars vessels but will never share a maritime or economic blockade of the Falklands’ people

Uruguayan President Jose Mujica addressing his peers at the Mercosur summit in Montevideo ratified the country’s position barring Falklands’ flagged vessels from Uruguayan ports in active support of Argentina’s sovereignty claim over South Atlantic Islands, which has led to a serious diplomatic controversy with the UK.
Tuesday, December 20th 2011 - 19:28 UTC
Mercosur summit suspended following suicide of a top Argentine official

The Mercosur presidential summit in Montevideo has been temporarily suspended following the news that a member of the Argentine delegation had committed suicide which left delegation members in a state of shock.
Tuesday, December 20th 2011 - 07:31 UTC
Inter American Bank will hold annual meeting in Montevideo, next March

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will hold its Annual Meeting in Montevideo, Uruguay March 16-19, drawing top economic decision-makers from its 48 member countries, including finance ministers and central bank presidents.
Tuesday, December 20th 2011 - 07:25 UTC
Malvinas jurisdictional acts are ‘invalid’ for Uruguay, but UK flagged vessels welcomed in Montevideo

“Any jurisdictional acts coming from Malvinas is invalid for us” and therefore Malvinas flagged vessels are barred from Uruguayan ports, a decision which is extensive to all Unasur members, said Uruguayan Foreign Affairs minister Luis Almagro.
Tuesday, December 20th 2011 - 07:21 UTC
Argentina/Brazil propose higher external tariffs for Mercosur

Argentina supported by Brazil has proposed increasing Mercosur Foreign External Tariff to better defend the group when country members are being flooded with cheap imports.
Tuesday, December 20th 2011 - 07:12 UTC
Chavez expected in Montevideo to announce Venezuela’s Mercosur full membership

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez said he will travel on Tuesday to the Mercosur summit in Uruguay in his first official foreign trip since undergoing cancer surgery in June and a further sign he is feeling stronger.
Tuesday, December 20th 2011 - 07:05 UTC
Latam’s exports in 2011 forecasted to grow 26%, close to 1.1 trillion dollars

Latin America’s projected 2011 export growth of 26% to approximately 1.1 trillion dollars continues the strong growth posted in 2010, according to new estimates by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
Tuesday, December 20th 2011 - 07:01 UTC
Mujica looses his temper with the media over the ‘Villa Nores’ incident

The Uruguayan president Jose Mujica lost his temper in an incident with a journalist when he was asked what measures the government was planning to avoid a repeat of the situation with a Spanish flagged vessel chased by an Argentine Coast Guard unit and had to take refuge in Uruguayan waters.