Energy Restriction Decree Passes (13-MAY-2008) Due to the lack of rain to feed hydroelectric dams, the government has expanded energy saving measures to the private sector in a decree. The decree establishes that private buildings must limit elevator and escalator usage by half. Read More ... UDN

Finnish Prime Minister Defends Botnia in Brazil (13-MAY-2008) In Brazil, Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen defended his country’s environmental criteria after being asked about the Argentine-Uruguayan conflict over the Botnia pulp mill in Fray Bentos, Uruguay. Vanhanen said the mill had the most modern technology in the world for pulp mills. “Finnish companies use the same high environmental criteria they employ in Finland in other countries,” said the Prime Minister.  Read More ... UDN

Mercosur Headquarters to Stay in Montevideo (13-MAY-2008) Parliamentary Deputy Enrique Pintado (Asemblea Uruguay-Frente Amplio) said Uruguay would remain the headquarters for the Mercosur trading bloc’s parliament, known as Parlasur. Pintado did say that other options for the parliament’s site are being analyzed, as the USD 3 million needed for refurbishment of the former Parque Hotel is considered too costly.  Read More ... UDN

Classes to Restart at Troubled La Teja School (13-MAY-2008) The multidisciplinary team promised by the Secondary School Council finally arrived at High School 38 in La Teja, Montevideo to analyze the violence that occurred a few days ago. Classes may start today for some students.  Read More ... UDN

Stepfather Suspected of 11 Year Old’s Murder DNA analysis will be key to clarify the death of 11 year old Pamela Silva, who was murdered in Maldonado on the morning of 4 May. The child’s stepfather, who was sent to prison for 18 months for sexually abusing her, is the main suspect in the murder case. Yesterday morning, Judge Álvarez Petraglia ordered the search of homes of five family members, but no new information was found.  Read More ... UDN

Mercosur Parliament at Risk Mercosur may move its future parliament from Montevideo due to lack of investment. The Ministry of Economy needs to invest USD 3 million into the former Parque Hotel building in Parque Rodó, Montevideo, to refurbish the facilities and to move the casino and municipal offices.  Read More ... UDN

Energy Savings Decree to be Published Today A government decree enforcing mandatory energy restrictions on private companies will be published today. The restrictions will be similar to those implemented in 2006. Businesses will be required to lower lighting of facades, limit escalator use and reduce the lighting in windows by half. Read More ... UDN

Peñarol Beats Nacional in Clásico Peñarol beat Nacional 4-2 at Centenario Stadium in Montevideo yesterday afternoon. Three Nacional players were ejected from the match in the second period.  Read More ... UDN

Uruguayan Ambassador to Venezuela Denies Búsqueda Story (9-MAY-2008) Uruguayan weekly Búsqueda published an article stating that Uruguayan Ambassador to Venezuela Gerónimo Cardozo said there was “corruption” and was critical of the Chávez administration. Cardozo supposedly made the statements while meeting with a delegation of Uruguayan legislators from the Nacional and Frente Amplio parties who traveled to Caracas on 23 April. Read More ... UDN

Rowdy Students and Police Clash in La Teja, Montevideo (9-MAY-2008) Serious incidents occurred at high school no. 38 in La Teja, Montevideo after students began throwing firecrackers from the third floor of the building and other students started a fistfight on the patio. The students causing problems then assaulted an off duty police officer working security detail after the principal decided to suspend classes. Read More ... UDN

Strong Ticket Sales for Clásico (9-MAY-2008) “Something like this has rarely been seen,” confessed a ticket office employee at Centenario Stadium who has worked for several years at the sports complex. Ticket sales for Sunday’s highly anticipated Peñarol-Nacional “clásico” match began at 10am yesterday. By 2pm, tickets in the Amsterdam section (reserved for Peñarol fans) had already sold out. Read More ... UDN

Montevideo’s Rambla Closed for Pan American Cycling Championship Montevideo’s Rambla Closed for Pan American Cycling Championship (9-MAY-2008) Montevideo’s seaside highway (rambla) will be closed today and this weekend for the Pan American Cycling Championship between 8:30am to 4pm.  Read More ... UDN

April Inflation Inflation figures for April were released on Monday. Inflation totaled 0.33%, putting year to date inflation figures at 3.2%. This shows a slowdown with respect to prior months and last year.  Read More ... UDN

World Bank to Loan USD 860 Million to Uruguay The World Bank will loan USD 860 million to Uruguay during the Vázquez administration. The objectives of the loan are to reduce the country’s external vulnerabilities, contribute to sustainable growth and improve quality of life. At the end of 2007, the World Bank resolved to add USD 60 million to the original figure the organization slated for Uruguay. Read More ... UDN

Phase Two of Energy Restrictions: Businesses Affected Due to the drought and forecasts for dry weather for the next 15 days, the government has decided to move to phase two of the Energy Savings Plan that will force mandatory measures on private businesses. Outside lighting for buildings, signs and decorative fixtures will not be permitted under phase two. Read More ... UDN