Politics

Monday, March 19th 2012 - 23:23 UTC
Philip Morris sues Uruguay cigarette-labeling claiming violation of investment treaty

Measures taken by Uruguay to deter smokers have drawn a legal challenge by one of the world’s largest tobacco companies under a treaty designed to protect foreign investors, according to the Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development.
Monday, March 19th 2012 - 23:02 UTC
Cuba releases “Ladies in White”; tells them to keep away from Pope’s activities

Cuba released 70 members of the dissident Ladies in White group detained during the weekend but warned them not to attend activities related to next week's visit of Pope Benedict, the group's leader said.
Monday, March 19th 2012 - 22:56 UTC
US court confirms graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging

United States federal law requiring large graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging and advertising does not violate the free speech rights of tobacco companies, a federal appeals court ruled on Monday.
Monday, March 19th 2012 - 15:36 UTC
Latam risks in 2012: commodities’ prices, China and European banks

The economy of Latin America and the Caribbean should grow 3.6% this year, down from recent rates above 5% as slower expansion in China, a soft recovery in the US and debt woes in Europe weigh on the global economy.
Monday, March 19th 2012 - 14:52 UTC
Cuba detains Ladies in White ahead of the visit by Pope Benedict XVI

Cuban authorities detained on Sunday about 70 members of the dissident group Ladies in White, drawing fresh attention to human rights issues days ahead of a visit by Pope Bendict XVI.
Monday, March 19th 2012 - 07:01 UTC
Rousseff expected at the White House but with no ‘state visit’ privilege

Next April 9 Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is expected in the White House and although formally relations are ‘excellent’, Brazil and the US have many dissenting issues, according to Andres Oppenheimer from the Miami Herald and considered an expert in Latin American affairs from the US perspective.
Monday, March 19th 2012 - 06:57 UTC
Moody’s confirms Uruguay closer to investment grade rating based on debt management

Uruguay is likely to be the next Latin American country to win an investment grade rating from Moody's Investors Service, with a review likely late this year, a senior officer from the ratings agency said on Sunday.
Monday, March 19th 2012 - 06:54 UTC
Recalling the phrase “Argentines are crooks from the first to the last”

“You were right, or at least that is what Argentines I come across in the street tell me”, said former Uruguayan president Jorge Batlle. In effect Batlle became world famous in 2002 for his phrase describing the River Plate neighbours: “Argentines are a bunch of crooks, from the first to the last, from A to Z”.
Monday, March 19th 2012 - 06:51 UTC
Uruguay strongly advocates for “free and fluid trade” in Unasur meeting

Uruguay’s Economy minister Fernando Lorenzo called on other members of Unasur, Union of South American Nations, to ensure free trade in the region as a safeguard and guarantee for the sustained growth of country-members in time.
Monday, March 19th 2012 - 06:41 UTC
Two male nurses charged with ‘dozens of mercy killings’ in two Uruguayan hospitals

Especially aggravated murder charges were filed against two male nurses Sunday and a female nurse was charged with covering up a crime in a case involving more than a dozen deaths at two Uruguayan hospitals, judicial officials said.