Paraguay

• Thursday, September 20th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Paraguayan ex-bishop's coalition splinters

  

  A former Roman Catholic bishop running for president of Paraguay said yesterday his opposition coalition has split over a dispute with factions loyal to a former coup plotter.

• Sunday, September 16th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Fire in Paraguay is well beyond human control

  

  Wind-blown fires scorching the parched Paraguayan countryside have scarred almost 3 million acres of forest, brush, pasture and farmland, officials said Friday, forcing the evacuation of 15,000 people and threatening nature reserves.

• Thursday, September 13th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  State of emergency declared in Paraguay

  

  Paraguay's government declared a national state of emergency on Wednesday amid the worst ever forest fires there.

• Wednesday, August 8th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Chavez promised quick Mercosur incorporation approval

  

  President Hugo Chávez warned on Wednesday that if Venezuela's entry into Mercosur is not approved ending this year he would have to change his “goals,” though he was careful to add he was not giving any “ultimatum.”

• Tuesday, August 7th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Former bishop formally launches presidential bid in Paraguay

  

  A Catholic bishop who resigned to run for president of Paraguay has formally launched his campaign for an April 2008 election, but only some 200 people showed up at his campaign kickoff.

• Wednesday, August 1st 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Paraguay vaccinates 98% of cattle herd against FAM

  Paraguay vaccinated 98% of its cattle herd against foot and mouth disease to ensure the normal flow of beef exports reported on Tuesday the government in the capital Asuncion.

• Sunday, July 29th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Paraguay: ministerial change but economic policy confirmed

  Paraguay's president Nicanor Duarte Frutos announced the naming of a new Finance minister following the unexpected resignation for “strictly personal reasons” of Ernst Bergen who had been on the job for 26 months.

• Wednesday, July 25th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Guarani heritage to sweeten Paraguayan farmers pockets

  

  Paraguayan farmers are hoping to cash in on a low-calorie sweetener being made by the Coca-Cola Co from a native plant long prized by indigenous people in one of South America's poorest countries.

• Tuesday, July 17th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  “Bishop of the poor” challenges Paraguay's elites and church

  A charismatic leader dubbed the “Bishop of the Poor” is an early favourite to make history as the first man to serve as a Roman Catholic bishop then be elected president of his country. Even when presidential elections next April are still far Fernando Lugo has the support from 40% of voters and is ten points ahead of his runner up.

• Tuesday, June 19th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Paraguay: more support for former bishop presidential hopeful

  Paraguay's leading presidential pre-candidate and former bishop Fernando Lugo received this week the formal support from one of the country's main opposition parties the Authentic Liberal Radicals, PLRA.