Stories for February 16th 2013
Human right activists in Uruguay storm the Supreme Court to protest judge’s transfer
The Uruguayan police evicted dozens of protestors that during three hours occupied the seat of the Supreme Court to impede the transfer of a magistrate, closely linked to human rights cases, from the criminal to the civil forum. Magistrate Mariana Mota has dealt with some of Uruguay’s most notorious human rights cases dating back to the twelve years of military dictatorship, (1973/1985).
G-20 rejects a ‘currency war’, but global situation too fragile to confirm it in facts
The Group of 20 nations declared there would be no 'currency war' and deferred plans to set new debt-cutting targets in an indication of concern about the fragile state of the world economy.
Brazilian business community demands the country signs trade accords with third countries
Brazilian businesspeople and diplomats expressed their disappointment with Mercosur and said it was crucial for Brazil to sign free trade agreements on its own with third countries, which under current rules of the South American trade block are not allowed.
Trawling for the next generation of antibiotics at the bottom of the ocean
Researchers are embarking on an £8m project to discover new antibiotics at the bottom of the ocean. A team, led by scientists at Aberdeen University, is hunting for undiscovered chemicals among life that has evolved in deep sea trenches.Prof Marcel Jaspars said the team hoped to find “the next generation” of infection-fighting drugs.
Cristina Fernandez inflation index for January less than half private estimates
Official inflation in Argentina increased 1.1% in January compared to the previous month, Indec national statistics bureau reported on Friday. The hike in prices was led by transport as train and bus fares increased by 6.1%. The annualized rate jumped to 11.1%.
Nationalized YPF in 2012 cut oil production decline and showed modest increase
Argentina’s nationalized oil and gas corporation YPF said oil output rose 2.5% last year, compared with an 8% decline in 2011 while natural gas output fell 2.3% on the year, versus an 11% decline in 2011. According to the statement YPF aims to boost oil production by 4% and gas output by 1.8% in 2013.
Argentina supplies Antarctic base by air with contracted Russian aircraft
The Argentine Ministry of Defence announced it had successfully finished the supply of provisions to the Antarctic Base Belgrano II, the most austral of the country’s outposts. The two-week operation in nine legs, depending on weather conditions, was done by air parachuting provisions.
Fifty experts are mine-clearing three areas next to Falklands’ capital
The BACTEC team is now fully deployed in the Falkland Islands clearing three minefields: two in the vicinity of Mile Pond and Mullet creek and the third south of the water tanks on the Stanley to Darwin and Goose Green Road. The mine-clearance project for these areas should be over by the end of March.
