Stories for May 17th 2013

Friday, May 17th 2013 - 23:02 UTC
Chile anticipates mild slowdown after years of strong growth

Chile's economy is entering a mild slowdown phase after years of strong growth said Finance Minister Felipe Larrain on Friday. Chile has been expanding at about 5.8% on average for the past three years despite global economic woes while maintaining enviably low inflation and jobless rates.
Friday, May 17th 2013 - 22:51 UTC
Colombian president Santos announces he will seek second term

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos gave advance notice Friday that he will seek a second term in the 2014 elections, though he added that, in compliance with the law, he will not make the formal announcement until six months prior to the vote.
Friday, May 17th 2013 - 17:58 UTC
Argentine ex-military dictator sentenced to life, Jorge Videla dies in jail cell

Jorge Rafael Videla, a former army commander who led Argentina during the bloodiest period of a “dirty war” dictatorship and was unrepentant about kidnappings and murders ordered by the state, died on Friday at age 87.
Friday, May 17th 2013 - 17:49 UTC
World Hypertension Day: WHO says avoid processed, canned and ready-to-eat-foods

At least 30% of people in the Americas suffer from hypertension, or high blood pressure, for which excessive dietary salt is the main risk factor. For 1 of 3 people who have hypertension, cutting sodium intake can reduce their blood pressure to normal levels. Reducing dietary salt could also prevent an estimated 25% of heart attacks and strokes worldwide.
Friday, May 17th 2013 - 06:51 UTC
Argentina’s ‘autarkic project’ worsens bilateral relations and multiplies problems

In an interview with the Spanish government news agency EFE, Uruguayan President José “Pepe” Mujica said Argentina’s economic “autarkic project” “worsens” bilateral ties and “multiplies” trade troubles. Still, he ruled out pressures on Buenos Aires; “they won’t work,” he insisted.
Friday, May 17th 2013 - 06:46 UTC
Argentine whitewash bill turning into ugly electoral debate

Argentina’s whitewashing bill or more modestly ‘tax amnesty’ has joined the political debate of the coming October mid-term elections. The tax revenue bureau or AFIP confirmed taxpayers’ “legitimate externalization right” “will not be affected” even in the “hypothetical case that the opposition manages to rally a majority parliamentary stance” after October’s legislative elections.
Friday, May 17th 2013 - 06:40 UTC
Pope Francis condemned the global ‘cult of money’ and the ‘new idols’

Pope Francis has condemned the global “cult of money” and urged world leaders to do more for the poor. In his first major speech on finance and the economy, the pontiff said money should be made to “serve” people, not to “rule” them.
Friday, May 17th 2013 - 06:33 UTC
Bolivian congress confirms President Morales can run for re-re-election

Bolivia’s Lower House passed a bill this week which would allow President Evo Morales to run for a third mandate in next years’ elections. The bill passed in an 84 to 33 vote, following a decision by the country’s Constitutional Court — whose judges were appointed by Morales — saying the re-re-election bill does not violate Bolivia’s Constitution.
Friday, May 17th 2013 - 06:26 UTC
Uruguay’s José Mujica lauds booming Brazil ties

By Jude Webber in Montevideo - The Financial Times has published a piece on Uruguayan president Jose Mujica and his view on the future and his government’s policy towards two powerful neighbors, Argentina and Brazil.
Friday, May 17th 2013 - 06:05 UTC
Criticized Peruvian foreign minister steps down and is replaced by a female

Peru's Foreign minister has resigned, the government said on Wednesday, days after he was criticized for contributing to a diplomatic spat with Venezuela. The office of President Ollanta Humala said in a statement that Rafael Roncagliolo resigned ”strictly because of health reasons”.