Politics

• Saturday, April 2nd 2011 - 06:53 UTC

  The delicate balance of ‘cooperation’ and ‘competition’ between China and Brazil

  

  Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff and her Chinese peer Hu Jintao will address the Libyan crisis and other issues related to the Chinese currency, Yuan, which has Brazilian manufacturers most concerned, anticipated the Brazilian Foreign Affairs ministry.

• Saturday, April 2nd 2011 - 06:51 UTC

  Brazilian congress set to approve this week compensation for Paraguayan power

  

  The Brazilian government is intent in increasing to 360 million US dollars annual payment for the surplus power from the world’s largest operational hydroelectric dam Itaipu, shared with Paraguay promised Marco Aurerlio Garcia President Dilma Rousseff international affairs advisor and special envoy.

• Saturday, April 2nd 2011 - 06:41 UTC

  Syrian security forces fire on anti government protests; at least seven killed

  

  At least seven people have been killed in another day of anti-government protests in several Syrian cities, activists have said. Protest marches against Baath Party rule broke out in cities in the north and south after Friday prayers, including in the flashpoint city of Daraa.

• Friday, April 1st 2011 - 17:51 UTC

  Uruguay’s government debt up 5.9% in 2010 but down to 57.9% of GDP

  

  Uruguay’s government debt increased both in gross and net terms in 2010, although at a slower rate than in 2009. Overall the debt increased 5.9% (1.3 billion US dollars) totalling 23.185 billion USD which is equivalent to 57.6% of GDP, according to the latest release from the central bank.

• Friday, April 1st 2011 - 16:33 UTC

  Chilean politicians’ expertise helps democratic transition in Egypt

  

  As upheaval continues across the Middle East, the path towards democracy is far from clear. A civil war is raging in Libya as protests become deadly in Syria. The leader
  of Yemen is negotiating his removal from power, and Saudi Arabian forces have been called in to help “maintain order” on the streets of Bahrain.

• Friday, April 1st 2011 - 06:44 UTC

  India’s population hits 1.21 billion in 2011; female foeticide remains high

  

  India's population has grown by 181 million people over the past decade to 1.21bn, according to the 2011 census. More people now live in India than in the United States, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan and Bangladesh combined.

• Friday, April 1st 2011 - 01:54 UTC

  Mujica: we need Venezuela in Mercosur “to help balance the group”

  

  Uruguayan president Jose Mujica promised his peer Hugo Chavez he would press strongly for Venezuela’s incorporation as full member of Mercosur because this will help balance the group.

• Friday, April 1st 2011 - 01:37 UTC

  In spite of Mercosur “unfulfilled agenda”, there will be trade agreement with EU

  

  Uruguay’s Vice-president Danilo Astori said that Mercosur “unfulfilled agenda” will not affect the chances of reaching an agreement with the European Union which if finally achieved will also help the “block to work better”.

• Friday, April 1st 2011 - 01:31 UTC

  Uruguay’s two main challenges: infrastructure and education

  

  Two are the main challenges faced by Uruguay to ensure sustained economic growth and to improve inequalities: infrastructure and education, and one main danger, self complacency.

• Friday, April 1st 2011 - 01:19 UTC

  Mexico interested in joining “the successful Unasur club”

  

  Mexico is interested in joining Unasur, Union of South American Nations, according to the country’s Deputy Foreign Affairs minister Ruben Beltrán. “When a club is successful one wants to join in”, said Beltran during a visit to Quito where he met Unasur officials.