Stories for January 2012
Moody’s raises Uruguay’s credit rating to Ba1, one level below investment grade
Uruguay’s credit-rating outlook was raised on Thursday to positive by Moody’s Investors Service, which cited the government’s commitment to keeping its budget deficit in check.
Argentina promises soft credits for farmers to help address drought consequences
The Argentine government agreed with the main farmers’ organizations to grant credits equivalent to 530 million dollars to help combat the drought that affects a large portion of the country and is extensive to neighbouring countries of the Southern Cone.
Proposing financial transaction tax now is “simply madness”, says PM Cameron
United Kingdom’s Prime Minister David Cameron urged the European Union to take a “bold and decisive action” to curb the economic crisis hovering over the Euro Zone and also described the plan for a financial transaction tax as “simply madness”.
Greenpeace claims CFK is ‘ill-advised’ regarding Malvinas environmental claims
The Argentine chapter of Greenpeace suggested President Cristina Fernandez, CFK, is ‘ill-advised’ when she claimed on Wednesday no environmental group has criticized what is “going on in Malvinas” in direct reference to oil exploration and fisheries in the Falklands.
Argentine Senate and House of Commons absorbed by Falklands’ debate
A new round of exchanges on the Falklands/Malvinas dispute took place on Thursday when an Argentine Senate Committee unanimously voted in favour of debating a declaration bill “strongly repudiating” British Prime Minister David Cameron’s “colonialist” statements, while a British minister accused Argentina of “sabre-rattling.”
Falklands’ oil industry says first round of exploration was “hugely successful”
Falklands’ oil industry sources said the round of oil exploration began in 2010 with the “Ocean Guardian” rig and just concluded, involving Rockhopper Exploration and Desire Petroleum, was “hugely successful” with several major oil and gas discoveries.
Alicia Castro is Argentina’s ambassador to London; last posting was Venezuela
Argentine President Cristina Fernández appointed Alicia Castro, 62, as ambassador to the United Kingdom, and the British government has accepted her credentials, the Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday.
Soros says German-driven austerity plans could splinter the European Union
Billionaire investor George Soros said that German-driven austerity plans in Europe risk creating tensions that could splinter the region as it struggles with a debt crisis entering its third year.
HMS Protector reaches Antarctica, visits Uruguayan and Argentine bases
HMS Protector, the Royal Navy's new ice patrol ship, has arrived in Antarctica for the first time after her long sail south from Portsmouth. Her arrival, via Montevideo in Uruguay, coincided with the centenary of the Royal Navy's Captain Scott reaching the South Pole.
MP proposes British Overseas Territories be represented in Westminster
Conservative backbench MP Andrew Rosindell has called for the Isle of Man and other Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories, including the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands to be represented in Westminster.
