Paraguay

• Monday, February 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Former bishop leads in tight Paraguayan presidential bid

  

  A former bishop is leading in what promises to be a very tight presidential election next April in Paraguay. The latest polls published this Sunday in the capital Asunción media shows ex bishop Fernando Lugo with 31.2% of vote intention followed by a former Army general Lino Oviedo with 25.3% and the outgoing administration candidate and ex Education minister Blanca Olevar with 24.3%

• Monday, February 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  First fatal victim of yellow fever in urban Paraguay

  

  A 17 year old allegedly is the first fatal victim of a yellow fever outbreak in Paraguay, a disease which reappeared after 34 years, according to the country's sanitary authorities. However controversy has emerged following a press report saying that the death toll caused by the mosquito transmitted disease is seven.

• Wednesday, February 13th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Rainfall brings Paraguay closer to record soybean crop

  

  Farmers in Paraguay, the world's fourth-largest soybean exporter, improved their chances of a record harvest after abundant rainfall aided crops in the first half of the growing season, said the Paraguayan Chamber of Cereals and Oilseeds Exporters, CAPECO.

• Tuesday, February 12th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Yellow fever threatens Paraguay; epidemics alert

  

  Paraguay declared this week an epidemics alert following the confirmation of five cases of the mosquito-borne viral yellow fever. All medical staff must immediately report to the Epidemics Vigilance Department in the capital Asuncion any suspected case of the disease.

• Friday, February 1st 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Paraguay, candidate for Mercosur lady presidents' club

  Paraguay's decades ruling party Partido Colorado formally registered this week a woman and former Education Minister as its candidate for the coming presidential election of April 20. She's the first woman in the country's history to run for president.

• Wednesday, January 30th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Health alert in Paraguay following outbreak of dengue

  A health alert has been declared in Paraguay in a bid to stop a new outbreak of dengue fever. Health workers have detected some 150 suspected cases of the mosquito-borne disease so far this year. The virus disease seems on its way to becoming endemic in the heart of South Amererica.

• Monday, January 14th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Former Paraguayan general confirmed as presidential candidate

  

  The former commander of the Paraguayan Army General Lino Cesar Oviedo who was freed from jail last September was confirmed Sunday as presidential candidate for the opposition National Union of Ethical Citizens, Unace, in the coming April general election.

• Thursday, January 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Former rebel general running for president in Paraguay's election

  Paraguayan retired General Lino Cesar Oviedo, recently absolved of charges of uprising in 1996, will register as an official candidate for the coming presidential elections, announced the party that sponsors him the National Union of Ethical Citizens, Unace.

• Monday, December 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Paraguay: another woman president for Latinamerica?

  

  A former Education Minister was leading a close race for the presidential nomination of Paraguay's ruling Colorado Party, opening the chance for a third sitting woman president in South America.

• Tuesday, November 6th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Paraguayan bishop's presidential bid polarizes church

  

  The Roman Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo who is running for Paraguay's presidency and leading in the opinion polls, has polarized the Church with some backing him as a force for change and others saying he violated age-old doctrine.