Stories for August 7th 2010
Santos called for understanding in spite of ideological differences
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos took office Saturday with a pledge to create jobs, end rebel violence and foster economic growth while seeking to mend ties with neighbouring countries in spite of “ideological differences”.
UNASUR suggests Venezuelan chancellor meets Colombian president Santos
Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) Secretary-General Néstor Kirchner and Brazilian president Lula da Silva recommended that Venezuelan Foreign Affairs minister Nicolas Maduro should travel to Colombia on Saturday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of president elect Juan Manuel Santos.
Uribe files complaint against Chavez before International Criminal Court
Out-going Colombian President Álvaro Uribe filed a complaint before the International Criminal Court in Rome against Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez for crimes against humanity that derive from the alleged harbouring of Colombian guerrilla fighters in Venezuelan soil, Uribe's lawyer, Jaime Granados, informed.
Employment in US down; fears about strength of economic recovery
Employment in the United States fell for a second straight month in July as more temporary census jobs ended while private hiring rose less than expected, pointing to an anaemic economic recovery.
BP sells Colombian operation to local and Canadian companies
Colombian state oil company Ecopetrol S.A. and Canadian firm Talisman have reached an agreement to buy the Colombia operation of BP Plc for 1.75 billion US dollars.
Dilma/Serra debate was “boring” and unable to distract Brazilians from soccer
The first television debate between the Brazilian leading presidential candidates, Dilma Rousseff and Jose Serra had one of the lowest ratings Thursday night and analysts defined it as ‘boring’ and a at the most, ‘a test for future duels’.
Kirchner sowing for next year’s presidential election
Argentina's government, unions and industry leaders agreed this week to raise the minimum wage by 23%, more than twice the official annual inflation running at 11%.
UN/Ecuador agree on trust fund to protect bio-diversity from oil industry
The United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, and Ecuador have reached agreement to set up a trust fund to protect an ecological site in an oil-rich area of the South American country’s Amazon region.
Paraguayan president Fernando Lugo diagnosed with lymphoma
Paraguayan president Fernando Lugo, 59, has been diagnosed with a lymphoma following the biopsy of an inguinal ganglion extracted Wednesday. He will be travelling to Brazil next Tuesday to continue with lab tests and to decide future steps.
New tax and banking bill ‘scares’ investors warns Uruguayan business community
The Uruguayan government announced intention of making banking secret accounts “more flexible” and expanding income tax to overseas holdings and assets have delayed investment decisions and accelerated the sale of real estate in Uruguay by foreigners, particularly Argentines, warned the Uruguayan Chamber of Tourism.
