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.
Paraguay's government declared a national state of emergency on Wednesday amid the worst ever forest fires there.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Few towns in Paraguay's impoverished countryside have a stoplight, well-paved roads or a library. This remote farming community has all three, and residents cite one reason: soybeans.