Stories for August 30th 2010
Brazil preparing to act against the strong appreciation of its currency
Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega said foreign-based companies operating in Brazil should consider sending some profits home as the exchange rate is unlikely to remain as favorable as it is now.
Survey shows 3.7% of Chilean population lives in extreme poverty
A survey carried out in December 2009 found that Chile has 634,328 people (3.7% of the population) living in extreme poverty. Since 2006 this percentage has gone up by 0.5%, the first increase since 1990. Those affected are mainly in rural areas.
US has “permanent military bases” in Guantanamo and Falklands, says Castro
United States has permanent military bases in Guantamano (Cuba) and the Falkland Islands, but it is prepared and capable of setting up troops anywhere else in Latin America in “a matter of hours” said the ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro quoted by the official press.
China essential for Uruguay’s “international development”
Uruguay pledged efforts to seek a stronger relationship with Beijing since “China is an essential factor in the international development of Uruguay”, said Vice-President Danilo Astori following an hour long meeting in Beijing with his counterpart Wu Bangguo, president of the National Assembly.
Venezuela, only Latin American economy (together with Haiti) to contract in 2010
Venezuela's economy shrank 3.5% during the first half of 2010 compared to the same period a year earlier, the Central Bank said in a report that revealed a deep recession in the oil rich country ahead of September legislative elections.
Serra in disarray “campaigns” for Lula da Silva’s protégé Dilma
While the Brazilian ruling coalition presidential candidate Dilma Rousseff consolidates her lead in opinion polls and is almost certain to win in the first round October 3, her main rival Jose Serra’s campaign seems to have fallen in disarray.
UK scientists decode wheat genome; vital to help feed growing population
British scientists have released draft sequences of the wheat genome, which they think could make a vital contribution to securing global food supplies. The researchers say their efforts could help British farmers to develop new strains with greater yields.
IMF proposes a short term liquidity facility to prevent financial crises
A top International Monetary Fund official called for the creation of an emergency lending facility as part of a global toolkit aimed at preventing the spread of financial crises.
Timerman expected in Montevideo to coordinate monitoring of River Uruguay
Argentine Foreign Affairs Minister Héctor Timerman will meet Monday in Montevideo with his Uruguayan counterpart, Luis Almagro, to advance with the implementation of the scientific committee that will monitor the UPM (ex Botnia) pulp mill and the River Uruguay.
Rare freshwater pink dolphins rescued in several days’ operation
A total of 19 pink freshwater dolphins belonging to an extremely rare species living in the east of landlocked Bolivia have been rescued from a river covered in mud and deforestation residue, reported the Santa Cruz province governors’ office.
