InfoAnda - Paraguay's frontier town a magnet for merchants, criminals

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Christmas eve bus accident kills 41 in Ecuador | 25 December 2010
Touring South America, Panetta renews defense ties with Peru | | 7 October 2012
William Shatner reinvents TV image with new shows | | 18 August 2010

Lawyers vary on contact between Marine, suspect | 13 August 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Paraguay's frontier town a magnet for merchants, criminals

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition World Paraguay's frontier town a magnet for merchants, criminals AFP - 2 hours 55 minutes ago Send IM Story Print Paraguay's frontier town a magnet for merchants, criminals CIUDAD DEL ESTE, Paraguay (AFP) - – This free-trade zone city, a hub in the often lawless tri-border region between Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil, is a magnet for merchants, criminals, spies and even movie directors from around the world. In the past, foreign intelligence officials have also claimed that Ciudad del Este harbors Islamist terrorist sleeper cells -- an allegation Paraguay denies. Founded in 1957 on the banks of the Parana river, city merchants are proud to say that you could find virtually anything sold here. "If you're looking for an elephant, you'll find it in Ciudad del Este," goes the local saying. Outsiders flock to the stores in this city of 300,000 people and open their wallets to buy duty-free imports flooding in from Asia -- everything from television sets and cameras to perfume and brand-name handbags. Street vendors selling cheap imitations of luxury brand names are common. Signs announcing sales are written in Chinese, Korean, Hindi and Urdu, a testament to Ciudad del Este's nickname as "the town of 70 ethnicities". And the city is also home to a foreign-born population, including large Chinese and Arab communities. "Especially for Brazilians, Ciudad del Este is a mystery," a Brazilian tourist told AFP. "People want to get to know it, but most of them come to buy electronics." Every day thousands cross the international bridge over the Parana from Brazil to stock up on tax-free goods. The city also attracts tourists visiting the nearby Iguazu Falls, on the border between Brazil and Argentina. Most buyers visiting Ciudad del Este however are Brazilian intermediaries known as "sacoleiros". These vendors pack their vehicles with the tax-free merchandise, then drive into Brazil and re-sell them at a marked-up price. The busy trade has turned the city into one of the main economic engines of Paraguay, one of the poorest countries in South America. Brazil, Paraguay's giant and economically thriving neighbor, sees this flood of cheap imports as a threat to its own industry and has strengthened border controls. "That will make it more difficult to work," said a Brazilian sacoleiro named Luiz, as he loaded his pickup truck with merchandise. Officially, Brazil limits tourist purchases of certain items to 150 dollars per person per month. Brazil "has very strong and powerful industry, and they are the ones working to smother this development," complained Ciudad del Este Mayor Sandra McLeod. "They should instead work with their much poorer neighbors," she told AFP. Brazil has sought to legalize the cross-border trade by charging the socaleiros a fee, but the law has not been applied and tensions over the issue have flared between Brazil and Paraguay. Ciudad del Este also has the reputation of being a hub for money laundering and the sale of illegal drugs and weapons. Regarding the terrorism allegations, Argentina -- which accused Iran and the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah of being behind the bombings of the Israeli embassy in 1992 and the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association (AMIA) in 1994 in Buenos Aires -- claimed afterwards these attacks were carried out with help from supporters based in Ciudad del Este. US, Israeli and French intelligence agents also combed the city searching for terror suspects after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. In late 2006, the US Department of the Treasury named nine individuals and two entities located in the tri-border area that it said provided financial and logistical support to Hezbollah. And in June, Interpol announced it had arrested a Lebanese national suspected of funneling money to Hezbollah in Ciudad del Este. Paraguayan officials have repeatedly denied the region is a haven for terrorism. "What annoys us the most is they say they have been looking for a terrorist cell in this city for the past 10 years, but they have yet to find it. Yet that image of us is spreading across the world," said McLeod. Mohammed Rahal, president of the Islamic Cultural Center of Foz de Iguazu, Ciudad del Este's sister city on the Brazilian side of the border, is also angered by talk of terrorists in their midst. "We built this town. There was no asphalt, no buildings, and now this thing about terrorism is really hurting us," Rahal told AFP. The city's wild-frontier reputation has also attracted foreign filmmakers interested in its unique setting. US director Michael Mann filmed scenes from his 2006 movie "Miami Vice" in Ciudad del Este. Fellow US filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow, who won the 2009 Oscar for Best Picture for the adrenalin-charged film set during the Iraq war, "The Hurt Locker," wants to make her next movie, tentatively entitled "Triple Frontier", in the region. The project, however, has angered the tourism ministers of Argentina and Paraguay who are refusing to cooperate with Bigelow, fearing her film will paint the region in a bad light. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles "Megamind" remains box office hero CinemaOnline - 11 minutes ago Ip Man's disciple mentors for "I Love Wing Chun" CinemaOnline - 1 hour 51 minutes ago US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - Tuesday, November 16 Dino De Laurentiis memorialized in LA service Reuters - Tuesday, November 16 Christina Aguilera gets Hollywood star AFP - Tuesday, November 16 News Search Top Stories Paraguay nixes expedition to remote tribal region Crunch time for euro nations as markets taste blood US truck dealer triggers buying spree with free AK-47s Heavy smoking in pregnancy linked to crime in offspring GM eyes Thursday end for 'Government Motors' More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Greece admits breach of bailout terms as audit begins Branson to serve as 'stewardess' after losing F1 bet Muslims scale Mount Arafat as hajj peaks Sushi wars: fight looms over bluefin tuna Travolta jets home as wife goes into labour More Most Viewed » Alcohol more harmful than heroin, crack cocaine: study Toddler survives seven-floor fall in France EU fines 11 airlines 800 million euros for air cargo cartel 'Naked' airport scanners may be 'dangerous' Be fit, have fewer colds: study More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Entertainment Photos Yahoo! News Network Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Taliban chief rejects peace talks as 'rumours'
Supermarket blasted for selling reindeer meat in UK
Merkel comfortably re-elected as party leader
Israeli government seen accepting new settlement freeze |
Eyeing Iran, Israel slates missile shield for 2015
GM to launch massive stock offering Thursday: source
Ireland in talks amid eurozone warning on debt
U.N. peacekeeper says no build-up on Sudan border
Turkey Breasts Recalled Due To Contamination
Four ministers resign from Italy govt
Europe to knock down barriers for disabled
Caterpillar To Acquire Bucyrus In Foray Into Mining
Portugal at risk of needing bailout: finance minister
AMD joins Intel-led MeeGo smartphone project
Reba, Rascal Flatts To Perform At First “American Country Awards”
Haiti rioters stone U.N. troops, blame them for cholera |
Greece admits breach of bailout terms as audit begins
Legally Dead Man Arrested In Kidnapping Case
Polisario demands U.N. council probe of Sahara clash |
Branson to serve as 'stewardess' after losing F1 bet
Kabul clerics call for calm during Eid al-Adha
House Ethics Panel Holds Trial Without Rangel
South Sudanese register for independence vote |
Greek deficit and debt figures shoot up
Freshman Orientation For Lawmakers; Oath-Taking For Manchin
Karzai call for end to night raids irks US general
Nigerian state arrests 400 over kidnappings |
"RuPaul's Drag Race" Returns In January With New Judge
Katy Perry Launches Purr Perfume
Police Search For Missing Trio After Teen Found
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
New Michael Jackson song released, gathers buzz
UN culture body warns Tanzania on Serengeti highway
Adidas eyes slice of lucrative youth fashion market
Facebook takes on Google and Yahoo on email, messages |
RSC gives Roald Dahl's "Matilda" musical makeover
Apple to make iTunes announcement Tuesday |
SAP co-CEO testifies in defense of Oracle claims |
Telcos, Discover plan mobile payment venture: sources |
U.S. eyes gov't spectrum for wireless devices |
Amazon shares weighed down by rivals' free shipping |
US-TECH Summary
SAP co-CEO testifies in defense of Oracle claims
Facebook launches new messaging service, includes email
New Michael Jackson song released, gathers buzz |
to open sites to outside contributors
Bristol Palin rejects jibes as Dancing final nears |
U.S. eyes gov't spectrum for wireless devices
Will Palin TV show translate into presidential run? |
Amazon shares weighed down by rivals' free shipping
Japan, China should just chat together, says blogger
RSC gives Roald Dahl's Matilda musical makeover |
Apple to make iTunes announcement Tuesday
Save the world from climate change -- by computer
Apple to make iTunes announcement on Tuesday
Nigeria reports Iran arms seizure to U.N Security Council
Paraguay nixes expedition to remote tribal region
At least 55 killed in Delhi building collapse |
South Sudanese register for independence vote
New search tool vital for digital media future: France's INA
Crunch time for euro nations as markets taste blood
Haiti rioters attack U.N. troops, one protester killed |
Telcos, Discover plan mobile payment venture: sources
UK to compensate Guantanamo ex-detainees: report |
US truck dealer triggers buying spree with free AK-47s
Report: Mexican Drug Cartels Spreading to Other Countries
George W. Bush Promotes New Memoir At Miami Book Fair
New Facebook message system takes aim at Google,
Heavy smoking in pregnancy linked to crime in offspring
U.S. missile strike kills 20 militants in Pakistan |
Karzai remarks raise questions about Afghan war
GM eyes Thursday end for 'Government Motors'
"Toy Story 3" The #1-Selling Blu-Ray And DVD
Four detained after Shanghai apartment fire kills 53 |
Facebook takes on Google and Yahoo in Web messages
Facebook Announces New Modern Messaging System to Trump Email
Oil will run out 100 years before new fuels developed: study
Russian arms suspect Bout leaves Thailand: official |
Caterpillar Acquisition, Better October Retail Sales Boost Stocks
Truck Dealer Offering Free AK-47 With Every Purchase
Microsoft sells one million Kinects in 10 days
60 killed in Delhi building collapse
Nigeria reports Iran arms seizure to U.N. |
Taiwan ex-head's son loses prostitution libel case
U.S. missile strike kills 20 militants in Pakistan
Militants kidnap 7 from Exxon platform off Nigeria |
Dino De Laurentiis memorialized in LA service
Thailand extradites 'Merchant of Death' to US
Christina Aguilera gets Hollywood star
Swamp gas blamed for deadly Mexico hotel blast
Vietnamese man 'nabbed with frozen tiger'
U.S. officials defend new airport screening procedures
China law enforcers ordered to make no-beating vow
Israel PM eyes slim majority for new freeze: reports
Thai PM agrees to send Russian arms suspect to U.S.
Russia 'traitor' revelation due to spy turf war: report
Hasan declines to testify at Fort Hood tribunal
Fading fish stocks driving Asian sea rivalries
Paraguay's frontier town a magnet for merchants, criminals
Building collapse kills at least 60 in Indian capital
Dino De Laurentiis memorialized in LA service
US drones kill 15 in Pakistan rebel training base
Christina Aguilera gets Hollywood star
Facebook takes on Google and Yahoo in Web messages |
Jay-Z decodes life, hip-hop, songs in literary debut
Beatles coming to Apple's iTunes: source |
South Park sued for stealing music video in 2008
S.Korea T-bond futures down ahead of rate review
Google's new phone software supports mobile payment |
'Megamind' keeps box office gold
Korea Hot Stocks
Microsoft says sells 1 million Kinect devices |
"Muppet" movie loading up on cameos
Seoul shares down; Hana, KEB open up on sale report
"Tangled", "Megamind" among animated Oscar contenders
Hyundai Group takes lead for S.Korean builder
Ne-Yo welcomes baby girl
Argentina, China bury the trade war hatchet
Bank of Korea lifts rates, more raise seen in Q1
JAL to dismiss 200 crew to meet rehabilitation plan
Moderate quake strikes Indonesia
Twenty injured in clash at Hyundai car factory
India's Mahindra Satyam shows fiscal year quarterly profit
Pakistani stocks, o/n rates end up; rupee firms
Jay-Z decodes life, hip-hop, songs in literary debut |
Dino De Laurentiis memorialized in LA service |
Bill Clinton said to appear in Hangover 2 |
South Park sued for stealing music video in 2008 |
Piracy hotspot Bangladesh bootlegged to bankruptcy
Darren Criss lands regular role on Glee |
Ne-Yo welcomes baby girl |
Muppet movie loading up on cameos |
Google Hotpot lets friends share hotspots
Tangled, Megamind among animated Oscar contenders |
Microsoft sells one million Kinects in 10 days
Girl Talk releases album All Day free online |
Five million watch debut of Sarah Palin TV show |
Next Google phone will be mobile wallet: CEO
Google's new phone software supports mobile payment
Microsoft says sells 1 million Kinect devices
Google denounces Web curbs as '21st century trade barriers'
Iran accuses two Germans of spying
Britain to pay compensation to Guantanamo detainees
Mob in Athens abuses Muslims as they celebrate Eid |
Stuxnet study suggests Iran enrichment aim: experts
Afghan president marks holiday with plea for peace
Prince William to marry Kate Middleton next year
Prince William to marry girlfriend Kate Middleton |
Panasonic to begin smartphone sales in Japan in 2011
Gruesome find told at US hearing into Afghan killings
Afghan poll candidate killed during holiday prayers |
Trial over Chechen dissident killing in Vienna
Carey Mulligan Gets Lead Female Role In Baz Luhrmann's "The Great Gatsby"
Pilgrims stone the 'devil' as Muslims celebrate Eid
Sina launches developer fund for China's Twitter
Gates sees no gap with Karzai on Afghan war strategy |
Ft. Hood Hearing Ends With No Evidence From Defense
Japan space probe collected asteroid dust
US defends Afghan mission after Karzai criticism
China Web game market to hit $750 million in 3 years: report
India Hails, Pakistan Fumes At Kashmir’s Exclusion From UN List
Thailand extradites Russian arms suspect to U.S. |
Teen Binge Drinking Could Lead To Adult Anxiety And Depression
NATO service member killed in eastern Afghanistan
Gates sees Iran rift, says strike would unite country |
Toy Retailer FAO Schwarz Launches Baby Line
U.S. Remains Optimistic As Middle East Peace Process Stays On Hold
Strains in Israel coalition over U.S. freeze package |
Miami Gunman's Standoff Ends After Toddler, Two Adults Shot
U.S. Reiterates UNSC Seat For India, Calls Pakistan To Act On Terror Groups
Colder winters possible due to climate change: study |
Texas Firm Recalls Fully Cooked Ready-To-Eat Turkey Breast Products for Possible Listeria Contamination
Exxon says Nigeria oil platform raid cuts output |
India government mired in giant graft scandal |
Ton-up Younis helps Pakistan draw first SA Test
China sends patrol vessel to disputed waters
Eight detained after Shanghai apartment fire kills 53
Thailand extradites alleged arms dealer Bout to US
Thailand extradites arms dealer to US
Thailand to extradite arms dealer to US
Shark sanctuary declared in eastern Indonesia
Beatles coming to Apple's iTunes: source
Italians relax on the slopes with 'Slow Skiing'
Indonesian leader condemns Saudi maid 'torture'
In Senegal, a sheep is man's best friend
Desperate search after Delhi building collapse
Apple says Beatles songs now on iTunes |
India ruling party mired in giant graft scandal
Barnes & Noble says shipments of NookColor start |
Pakistani stocks end up; rupee weakens; o/n rates down
Telcos form Isis mobile pay venture with Discover |
Bank of Korea lifts rates, more raise seen in Q1
Pakistan's July-Oct c/a deficit narrows to $533 mln
Major League Soccer looks to online fantasy game |
Q+A-Are Pakistan's revised economic targets realistic?
Japan's lower house OKs 60 billion dollar stimulus
China Web game market to hit $750 million in 3 years: report |
Growing South Korea moves to tame inflation
Seoul shares slip; Hyundai E&C weighs, Hana Fin up
Seoul shares dip as Hyundai E&C weighs; Hana Fin up
China: foreign direct investment uptick continues
Final Harry Potter movie will be like a war film |
Apple says Beatles songs now on iTunes |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01