Stories for May 2013

Tuesday, May 7th 2013 - 09:28 UTC
IMF again warns Argentina about protectionist and foreign currency exchange policies

The International Monetary Fund Director for the Western Hemisphere, Alejandro Werner, warned on Monday about the “negative effect” that the existence of two foreign currency exchange markets and protectionist policies bring to Argentina.
Tuesday, May 7th 2013 - 09:11 UTC
Winning design to replace Brazil’s destroyed Antarctic base was presented in Rio

The Brazilian Navy announced in Rio the winning proposal for the new Antarctic research base Comandante Ferraz which in February last year was destroyed by fire with the loss of two lives and damages in excess of 12 million dollars.
Tuesday, May 7th 2013 - 09:04 UTC
Brazil expects a boom in sales of its unique sugar cane liquor ‘cachaca’

Brazil’s ‘cachaca’ the world's fourth most-produced distilled spirit, but little known abroad, except as an ingredient in popular cocktails like caipirinhas is about to change when the US recognizes the sugar cane liquor as a distinctive Brazilian product.
Tuesday, May 7th 2013 - 09:00 UTC
Rousseff creates ministry for small businesses and announces soft loans

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff announced on Monday a reduction in the interest rate on public loans for owners of small businesses from 8% to 5% and inaugurated the Secretariat for Micro and Small Businesses which will have the category of a ministry.
Tuesday, May 7th 2013 - 08:54 UTC
Cuban doctors to Brazil hinterland in exchange for infrastructure works

Brazil said Monday it was negotiating with Havana the possibility of hiring and bringing in around 6,000 Cuban doctors to work in areas where they are needed in the fifth largest country of the world and with a population of 200 million.
Tuesday, May 7th 2013 - 08:42 UTC
Falklands/South Georgia dispute placed by Argentina under the CCALMR umbrella

The Buenos Aires media is reporting a potential incident situation in South Georgia waters which could erupt into something more complicated from the moment the Argentine research vessel ‘Eduardo Holmberg’ has been involved in scientific activities in a zone which last year was declared by the UK as a Maritime Protected Area, MPA, and which Argentina does not recognize since it considers it ‘an area in dispute’.
Tuesday, May 7th 2013 - 05:49 UTC
Cristina Fernandez pledges ‘no Peso devaluation’, but markets are not convinced

In a clear signal to the markets, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner strongly rejected on Monday a possible devaluation of the Argentine Peso and targeted sectors advocating for such a measure, as she warned that “those hoping to profit from it will have to wait for a different Government.”
Tuesday, May 7th 2013 - 02:00 UTC
Falkland Island’s delegation with over forty athletes will participate in NatWest Island Games in Bermuda

The full squad of competitors representing the Falkland Islands at the upcoming NatWest Island Games taking place in Bermuda from July 13 to 19 has been announced.
Monday, May 6th 2013 - 21:24 UTC
Arctic seas acidity from CO2 emissions advancing faster than forecasted

The Arctic seas are being made rapidly more acidic by carbon-dioxide emissions, according to a new report. Scientists from the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP) monitored widespread changes in ocean chemistry in the region.
Monday, May 6th 2013 - 07:36 UTC
Paraguay supports Mexican candidate for WTO; ignores Brazilian hopeful

Paraguay made public in Geneva its support for Mexico’s candidate Herminio Blanco as the next Director General of the World Trade Organization. The other hopeful who reached the final round is from Brazil, Roberto Azevedo. On Tuesday it should be known who will succeed the current head Pascal Lamy as of next September.