Stories for August 2012
Colombian president confirms peace talks with FARC; first round Oslo in October
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has confirmed his government is holding exploratory talks with the country's largest rebel group, the FARC. In an address on state TV, Mr Santos said he was fulfilling his “duty to seek peace”. Media reports say a deal on further talks was reached in Cuba with the help of Venezuela and Norway.
Hurricane Isaac conditions festivity of Romney’s Republican Tampa convention
Instead of opening with a bang as originally planned, Mitt Romney's Republican convention started with a whimper on Monday as party leaders staged a low-key session while Tropical Storm Isaac churned through the Gulf of Mexico.
Rapidly eroding ice cap and thickness makes the Arctic even more vulnerable
Arctic has lost more sea ice this year than at any time since satellite records began in 1979, Nasa says. Scientists involved in the calculations say it is part of a fundamental change. What is more, sea ice normally reaches its low point in September so it is thought likely that this year's melt will continue to grow.
The endless war: Saudi Arabia goes on the offensive against Iran
Saudi Arabia has gone on the offensive against Iran to protect its interests. Their involvement in Syria is the first battle in what is going to be a long bloody conflict that will know no frontiers or limits.
Buenos Aires Aires real estate market faces the challenge of slowdown and ‘pesification’
The Argentine real estate market has witnessed stunning growth over the last decade but growth of the sector appears to have come to an abrupt and dramatic end in the seven months of this year.
FIFA new ethics committee will examine 2018 and 2022 World Cup awards
The lead prosecutor of FIFA new ethics committee confirms he will examine the controversial awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar as well as the ISL scandal and corruption allegations involving Sepp Blatter.
Despite Fukushima accident, 30 countries considering nuclear energy says IAEA
Almost 30 countries are considering or planning to introduce nuclear energy as interest remains strong despite last year's Fukushima accident, the United Nations' atomic agency said.
Brazil beef exports reached 5.37bn dollars in 2011, but volume was down 10.8%
Last year was very positive for Brazil beef exports having jumped from 4.8 billion dollars in 2010 to 5.37 billion in 2011, which represents an 11.65% increase according to Abicec, the Brazilian Association of Meat exporting industries.
Brazil’s defence industry booming and promoting projects with neighbours
Brazil's defence industry is booming, fuelled by government incentives to modernize the country's armed forces and develop a robust, export-oriented military industrial complex. With the world's sixth largest economy, Brazil was ranked as the eighth largest arms exporter in the 1980s but currently languishes in 30th place, according to industry experts
Colombia and FARC ready for peace talks with support from Cuba and Norway
Colombia's government will soon begin talks that could lead to formal negotiations for peace with the country's biggest guerrilla group, known as the FARC, according to a Colombian intelligence source.
