Stories for August 10th 2012
Falklands’ Argentine cemetery investigation extends to the UK and Malvinas families
The investigation into the vandalized hermitage at the Argentine Cemetery in the Falklands has seen the local police investigation extend to the UK and Argentina. Forensic material has been sent to Britain and Falklands’ police have requested the Malvinas Families Commission to help identify the origin of a Spanish Bible with a message signed by a “Viviana” found inside the attacked shrine.
Ice patrol HMS Protector crew to visit the affiliated city of Cambridge
The university city of Cambridge might be more used to punts, but it is about to welcome the crew of a Royal Navy ship. HMS Protector, the Navy's 5.000-ton Antarctic patrol vessel is to visit the region on Monday, marking her first visit to her affiliated city of Cambridge since the formal link was established a year ago.
Mexico Ousts Brazil as Investors’ Top Choice in Latin America
Due to increasing economic stability and a growing population, Brazil is now widely considered an economic powerhouse capable of maintaining and attracting foreign direct investments.(1)(2) However, recent corruption schemes, changes in monetary policy, and the ongoing 2008 global financial crisis have undermined Brazil’s shining reputation. In light of Brazil’s governmental intervention, the number of state-controlled enterprises, the growing debt-to-GDP in the private sector, and inflation rates, investors have begun to turn their attention to other economies in Latin America, especially Mexico.(3)
Olympics Excitement in the Falkland Islands
The visit of one of the 8000 London 2012 Olympic torches to the Falklands has added to the excitement felt in the Islands for the London Olympics.
Uruguay begins to discuss ‘marihuana bill’ that makes government pot dealer
A plan by Uruguayan president Jose Mujica to turn the government into the nation's marijuana dealer has been presented to Congress. The aim of the proposed bill is to take over an illegal marijuana trafficking business estimated to be worth 30 to 40 million dollars annually.
Brazil bumper crop of corn estimated at 71.5 million tons
Brazil will reap a record grain harvest of 163.3 million tons this year, a gain of two per cent over 2011, the IBGE statistics agency says. The IBGE's latest forecast, based on July data is 1.6% higher than the previous projection.
Short of soy Brazil meat producers want to import from Bolivia
Meat producers in Brazil's Mato Grosso do Sul state are lobbying the government to approve soy imports from neighbouring Bolivia after drought shrank supplies in the world's second grower, a state official and analysts.
Booming agriculture sees crop land prices in Brazil soar 18% in the past year
Prices of Brazilian crop land have soared 18% in the past year, to judge by data from one of the country's biggest agricultural groups, which revealed plans to take sowings nearly to 300,000 hectares, according to Agrimoney.com.
Toyota opens third plant in Brazil and announces engine plant
Toyota from Japan has inaugurated its third plant in Brazil that aims to produce 70,000 cars a year. The facility, located 90 kilometres west of Sao Paulo in Sorocaba, will begin producing Etios compact cars next month, with engines imported from Japan.
Brazil votes affirmative action for blacks and minorities in federal universities
The Brazilian Senate has approved an affirmative action bill that reserves half the spots in federal universities for high school graduates of public schools, and distributes them according to the racial makeup of each state.
