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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, April 30th 2024 - 23:09 UTC

Politics

  • Friday, December 13th 2013 - 12:13 UTC

    'Abstention' the main challenge for Chilean presidency election run-off on Sunday

    Bachelet or Matthei, but with how much support?

    Chileans are set to head to the polls this Sunday to choose their next president, but experts fear much more than half the electorate will opt not for Michelle Bachelet or Evelyn Matthei, but to stay at home on election day instead. The election’s first round, held Nov. 17, saw the debut of the voluntary voting system in Chilean presidential elections and a turnout of 6.7 million, half-a-million-votes less than were counted in 2010, when voting was still mandatory for those on the electoral role.

  • Friday, December 13th 2013 - 09:20 UTC

    Another UK bank fined for ignoring rules and working with black-listed countries

    In a statement, RBS said it “acknowledges and deeply regrets these failings”.

    Royal Bank of Scotland has been fined 100 million dollars by US regulators for violating US sanctions against Iran, Sudan, Burma, and Cuba. The settlement follows from a 2010 internal investigation by RBS into its historical US dollar payment processes and controls. The violations took place between 2005-09, the US Treasury said.
    In a statement, RBS said it “acknowledges and deeply regrets these failings”.

  • Friday, December 13th 2013 - 09:04 UTC

    Mexico breaks 75-year myth: opens energy sector to private and foreign investment

    There were scuffles during the all night debate but the bill was finally by an overwhelming majority vote

    Mexico's Congress approved on Thursday early morning a historic energy reform aimed at luring foreign investment and ending the state's 75-year-old oil monopoly following a heated debate. After a marathon session that lasted nearly 24 hours, the lower house voted 353 to 134 for the legislation championed by President Enrique Peña Nieto, one day after it passed the Senate.

  • Friday, December 13th 2013 - 09:01 UTC

    Congress and White House agree on budget bill which should end clashes

    “An important moment of bipartisan cooperation and shows Washington can and should stop governing by crisis”, said the White House

    The US House of Representatives has approved a two-year federal budget bill in a strong showing of cross-party support, further avoiding the specter of another government shutdown. The measure, written by the Republican and Democratic heads of the House and Senate budget committees respectively, was approved by a 332-94 vote.

  • Friday, December 13th 2013 - 08:52 UTC

    FAO food price index in November unchanged: dairy up 23% over a year ago

    Demand for milk powder, especially from China, remained strong and processors focused on this product rather than on butter and cheese.

    The FAO Food Price Index averaged 206.3 points in November 2013, almost unchanged from the revised value of 206.6 points in October, but 9.5 points (4.4%) below its November 2012 value. A sharp decline in sugar prices last month nearly offset the rise in oils. Cereals averaged slightly lower but meat and dairy values were stable.

  • Friday, December 13th 2013 - 08:47 UTC

    Keeping up with inflation in Argentina: after calming police, who's next in the queue

    Widespread looting in most of the provinces where police protested in demand of higher salaries

    Police protests and widespread looting in 19 of the 24 Argentine provinces has, in a few weeks, shattered expectations about the new cabinet of President Cristina Fernandez and a stabilization of the economy, since as can be anticipated government employees and unions will be demanding similar conditions as their blue uniformed colleagues to keep up to date with inflation, running at an annualized 26% according to the November reading.

  • Thursday, December 12th 2013 - 21:16 UTC

    Foreign Office updates Parliament on major UK/Overseas Territories conference

    Minister Simmonds chaired the OTs Joint Ministerial Council meeting in London

    The commitment of the governments of the Overseas Territories and the UK to continue to work together in partnership was underlined by Foreign Office minister Mark Simmonds MP when he updated Parliament on the outcome of this year’s Joint Ministerial Council, which was attended by leaders from eleven OTs including the Falkland Islands.

  • Thursday, December 12th 2013 - 06:54 UTC

    EU admits difficulties and requests Mercosur to delay the exchange of tariff proposals

    Brazil's Foreign minister Figureido received the formal request during last week's WTO discussions in Bali

    The European Union has formally requested that the exchange of tariff proposals with Mercosur for the creation of a cooperation and free trade zone, originally scheduled for next week, be delayed until 2014. The message was received by the Brazilian delegation at the recent WTO Bali discussions.

  • Thursday, December 12th 2013 - 06:39 UTC

    London conference on Pacific Alliance; UK granted observer status

    British Minister for Latin America, Hugo Swire wants closer relations with the Alliance

    Over 150 representatives of British companies and businesses attended the conference on the Pacific Alliance (Chile, Peru, Colombia and Mexico) organized by the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Financial Times. The Alliance is considered one of the newest and most promising political and economic blocks is emerging from Latin America.

  • Thursday, December 12th 2013 - 06:33 UTC

    Latam forecasted to expand 3.2% in 2014 after a 2.6% this year, says Eclac

    “The world economic situation in 2014 provides opportunities and threats” said Executive Secretary Barcena

    The economies of Latin America and the Caribbean will expand by 3.2% in 2014, which is higher than the 2.6% for 2013, according to the latest report from the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, launched on Wednesday in Santiago, Chile.