Stories for August 22nd 2011
UN Rapporteur calls on Brazil for immediate protection of judges and magistrates
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Gabriela Knaul, urged the Brazilian authorities to take immediate action to provide judges, magistrates, prosecutors, public defenders and lawyers with effective and adequate measures of protection.
Chavez supporters shave their heads in solidarity with the Venezuelan leader
Supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez shaved their heads in solidarity with their leader's struggle against cancer. Barbers shaved off the hair of several men and at least one woman while the crowd swayed to a religious song on Sunday as hundreds prayed and sang at a televised event.
Argentina’s Falklands claim will not significantly impact oil commerciality, says UK leading bank
The commerciality of the Falkland Islands Rockhopper Exploration’s Sea Lion oilfield development shouldn’t be significantly impacted by logistical problems arising from Argentina’s claim over the sovereignty of the Islands, according to analysts at the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Rockhopper spuds new assessment well in Falklands’ Sea Lion Main Complex
Monday morning Rockhopper Exploration announced the spudding of its latest exploration well, 14/10-7, to further test the Sea Lion oil discovery in Falkland Islands waters.
Signs of disarray in the Brazilian ruling coalition as president attacks corruption
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff reached out to political allies to stem a growing rebellion within her coalition after the resignation of a fourth minister threatened to further tense already strained relations.
Falklands’ government readies for a decision on a new deep sea port
After a year without any obvious movement on the idea of a new deep sea port for the Falkland Islands it seems that the idea is alive and well and being pursued, quietly in the background. The estimates for such a project vary up to £ 50, £ 60 million.
Argentina and Chile jointly promoting tourism to attract more Aussies
Argentina and Chile are jointly promoting their countries in a round of events in Australia with the purpose of drawing more Aussie tourists. The promotion coincides with the recent announcement of Australia’s flag carrier Qantas direct flights to Santiago de Chile.
In spite of global crisis, leading Spanish bank optimistic about Latam outlook
In spite of world turbulences the Latin America economy will expand 4.8% in 2011 and 4% in 2012 and 2013 boosted by the high price for commodities and strong domestic demand, according to the Spanish bank BBVA, on its “Latinamerica report”.
Argentina expected to approve the use of Bayer GM soy-seeds
Mercosur full member Argentina this week is expected to approve the use of genetically-modified soy seeds made by German company Bayer as part of its push to increase farm production, a top Argentine official said on the weekend.
Chavez health and ‘arbitrary laws’ make S&P downgrade Venezuela’s rating
US ratings agency Standard & Poor's downgraded Venezuela's foreign and local currency sovereign ratings by one notch Friday, citing the country's political risk as a credit weakness.
