Stories for December 2010
Brazilean central bank inflation warning; rate hike expected in January
Brazil's central bank reiterated Wednesday its clear commitment to raise interest rates soon, as the outlook for inflation has become far less favorable than it had previously thought.
Brazilian soy crop estimate up; coffee prices reach a 13-year high
Soybean growers in Brazil, the world’s largest producer after the U.S., may harvest more of the oilseeds next year than the government estimated earlier this month, Agriculture Minister Wagner Rossi said on Wednesday.
China buys power distribution plants which supply Brazil’s main cities
State Grid Corp. of China completed the purchase of seven electricity distribution businesses in Brazil for 989 million US dollars, announced the government this week.
Sweden to close embassy in Argentina because of budget constraints
The Swedish government Wednesday said it would close five embassies next year due to budget constraints, among them offices in Argentina.
Former Argentine dictator Gneral Videla sentenced to life in prison
The strongman of Argentina's 1976-1983 military Junta General Jorge Videla, was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday for crimes against humanity committed during the so called dirty war against left-wing dissidents.
Bolivia formalizes recognition of sovereign Palestine state with pre-1967 borders
Bolivia formally recognized Palestine as an independent and sovereign state within the 1967 borders, Bolivian President Evo Morales announced Wednesday. Reports last week indicated that such a decision was imminent
WikiLeaks founder Assange named “Man of the Year” by France’s Le Monde
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been named Man of the Year by France's Le Monde newspaper, one of the five publications to cooperate with the whistleblowing website on its its latest release of leaked documents.
Hillary Clinton will represent Obama at Rousseff’s inauguration January first
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will head the United States delegation to attend the inauguration of Brazilian president-elect Dilma Rousseff next January first, announced Wednesday the White House.
Uruguayan Major General appointed head of UN mission in India and Pakistan
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced Wednesday the appointment of Major-General Raul Gloodtdofsky Fernandez from Uruguay as head of the United Nations mission in India and Pakistan.
EU raps European airports for failing to deal with freezing weather
The European Union has strongly criticized European airports for failing to deal with recent freezing weather, which has left thousands of travellers stranded. Around 1,000 flights were cancelled across the continent on Tuesday.