Paraguay, officially the Republic of Paraguay (Spanish: República del Paraguay, pron. IPA , Guarani: Tetä Paraguáype), is a landlocked country in South America. It lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, bordering Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. The name of the country means "water that goes to the water," derived from the Guaraní words pará ("ocean"), gua ("to/from"), and y ("water"). The expression in Guaraní often refers solely to Asunción, but in Spanish refers to the entire country.

History

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Europeans first arrived in the area in the early 16th century and the settlement of Asunción was founded on August 15, 1537, by the Spanish explorer Juan de Salazar. The city eventually became the centre of a Spanish colonial province, as well as a primary site of the Jesuit missions and settlements in South America in the 18th century. Paraguay declared its independence by overthrowing the local Spanish authorities on May 14, 1811. In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865–1870), Paraguay lost 140,000 square kilometres (54,000 sq mi) of territory (e.g. the Misiones region) and suffered a huge loss of its male population. Tradition holds that up to two thirds or more of the adult male population was killed, but some argue that upon analysis from historic records and census reports, this figure is greatly exaggerated.

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L.A. Times - Latin America

Mexico: High stakes and rampant voter apathy in upcoming elections
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700
The Green Party, with its death penalty stance and toucan logo; the PRD and its unofficial face, Mariana; and the PAN, with its focus on the drug war, provide a colorful campaign. Mexicans vote Sunday, but the biggest story may be how many don't bother. At stake are all 500 seats in the lower house of Congress, six governorships and scores of local posts. But apathy and disgust with politics are rampant. Many voters plan to deface their ballots in protest.
Honduras' de facto leader open to early elections
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700
Roberto Micheletti's offer is aimed at easing a standoff over the coup that ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya. A delegation from the Organization of American States is to arrive Friday. The man who replaced President Manuel Zelaya in a coup said Thursday that he would be willing to hold elections ahead of schedule if that would ease the standoff, which has left Honduras badly isolated.
L.A. employers face immigration audits
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700
Federal agency targets hiring practices in a nationwide inquiry. Federal officials Wednesday notified more than 650 businesses around the country, including nearly 50 in Los Angeles, that their records will be audited as part of a widening effort to find companies that hire illegal immigrants.
Honduras is given a deadline to reinstate ousted president
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700
The Organization of American States adopts a resolution threatening to suspend the nation's membership if it does not return President Manuel Zelaya to power within 72 hours. Reporting from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and Mexico City -- Ramping up pressure on Honduras' interim rulers, the Organization of American States threatened Wednesday to suspend the nation's membership if ousted President Manuel Zelaya was not returned to power within 72 hours.
Alexis Arguello dies at 57; winner of three world boxing titles
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700
Arguello was found dead early Wednesday in Managua, Nicaragua, where he was elected mayor last year. He had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. Alexis Arguello, who battled his way to three world boxing titles in the ring but lost several bouts with personal demons outside the ropes, was found dead early Wednesday at his home in Managua, Nicaragua. He was 57.
American Apparel says some employees may not be working legally
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700
A federal inspection of employment records raised questions about the status of about 1,800 workers, the Los Angeles clothing maker says in an unusual announcement. Most companies might shy away from trumpeting their troubles with the law, but not American Apparel Inc.

UN News Centre - Americas

UN-Caribbean partnership crucial amid today's crises, says Ban
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has hailed the collaboration between the United Nations and the countries of the Caribbean in tackling the various crises impacting the region and the world at large, including the global financial turmoil and climate change.
Human rights experts join chorus of UN condemnation over coup in Honduras
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Four independent United Nations human rights experts today voiced serious concern over the situation in Honduras following last weekend's coup d'état, calling for the immediate restoring of democracy in the Central American country and the lifting of curbs on fundamental freedoms.
General Assembly condemns coup in Honduras
Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500
The General Assembly today condemned this weekend's coup d'état in Honduras, calling for the restoration of the democratically-elected President and constitutional Government.

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