Stories for 2011

Monday, July 4th 2011 - 04:32 UTC
Brazilian government conditions support for major retail chain merger

BNDES bank will not put up the 2.4 billion US dollars it pledged for the merger of Brazil's biggest retailers, Grupo Pao de Acucar and France's Carrefour, unless France’s Casino is on board, bank president Luciano Coutinho said in a local magazine.
Monday, July 4th 2011 - 04:23 UTC
Brazilian Transport ministry suspends four top officials on corruption claims

Four of the top officials in Brazil's Transportation Ministry have been temporarily suspended from their posts after a magazine reported on fraud they allegedly committed in several bidding contests on public works.
Sunday, July 3rd 2011 - 11:42 UTC
Biosphere reserve in Chilean Patagonia gives hope for preservation of the huemul

The United Nations added 18 new sites to its global list of biosphere reserves, (including one in Chilean Patagonia) bringing the total to 581 in 114 different countries, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reported.
Saturday, July 2nd 2011 - 06:18 UTC
Venezuela’ top general says Chavez is ‘recovering satisfactorily’ and ‘soon’ will be back

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez is recovering “satisfactorily” from surgery to remove a cancerous tumour and will be home “soon,” the head of the country’s military said on Friday.
Saturday, July 2nd 2011 - 06:06 UTC
”You can vote for Cristina with your pocket, heart or mind” says Boudou

“You can vote for Cristina (Kirchner) with your pocket, your heart or with your mind” because the Argentine economy has advanced in all fields, said the country’s Economy minister and vice President candidate for next October election, Amado Boudou.
Saturday, July 2nd 2011 - 05:59 UTC
Uruguay raises 2011 growth forecast to 6% and inflation to 7.8%

Uruguay has raised its 2011 economic growth forecast to 6% and its inflation to 7.8%, according to a government document published on Friday. The previous estimate was 4.5% and full year inflation of 6%.
Saturday, July 2nd 2011 - 05:56 UTC
Chinese president warns corruption is eroding the Communist party grip

Chinese President Hu Jintao has issued a mea culpa for rampant corruption in the ruling Communist Party, warning members about alienating the public as the organisation celebrates its 90th anniversary.
Saturday, July 2nd 2011 - 05:50 UTC
“Cooling the economy or appreciating the currency” backfire for developing countries

Central bank president Mercedes Marcó del Pont defended on Friday Argentina’s current economic policies, particularly efforts to address the international crisis arguing that “cooling the economy or letting the currency appreciate only aggravates the crisis”.
Saturday, July 2nd 2011 - 05:38 UTC
Bolivia apologizes to Argentine Jewish community for inviting Iranian official

Bolivian president Evo Morales apologized to the Argentine Jewish community for having received on an official visit the Iranian Defence minister Ahmad Vahido, who is wanted by the Argentine justice system for his alleged involvement in the 1994 anti-Semite attack in Buenos Aires.
Saturday, July 2nd 2011 - 05:28 UTC
London and Chilean stock exchanges are in the process of integration

Finance Minister Felipe Larraín advanced efforts to integrate the Chilean and London stock exchanges during a recent visit to the United Kingdom. A delegation of government officials and business leaders accompanied the minister on his trip to promote foreign investment in Chile.