Stories for August 2013

Wednesday, August 7th 2013 - 17:36 UTC
China warns of Japanese ‘remilitarization’ following the incorporation of a ‘quasi-aircraft carrier’

Media in China are warning against Japan's “remilitarisation” after the country unveiled its biggest warship since World War II on Tuesday. The huge Japanese flat-top destroyer, Izumo, has a flight deck nearly 250m long and can reportedly carry more than nine helicopters.
Wednesday, August 7th 2013 - 17:13 UTC
World’s largest dairy producer faces scare over contaminated products with botulism bacteria

New Zealand's government has stepped up efforts to contain the fallout from a scare over contaminated products made by dairy giant Fonterra. Officials have been sent to Fonterra facilities in New Zealand and Australia to oversee the flow of information.
Wednesday, August 7th 2013 - 16:46 UTC
US government lawsuits against Bank of America related to mortgage-backed securities fraud

US government filed two lawsuits against Bank of America relating to fraud on 850 million dollars of mortgage-backed securities. The Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission filed parallel suits in North Carolina.
Wednesday, August 7th 2013 - 16:27 UTC
HMS Richmond leaves for seven months Atlantic Patrol Tasking

Portsmouth-based frigate HMS Richmond has sailed for a routine seven months Atlantic Patrol Tasking which includes the South Atlantic. According to the official release she left Portsmouth on Monday 5 August and will maintain the continuous Royal Navy presence in the Atlantic and provide an ongoing protection and reassurance to British regions within the region.
Wednesday, August 7th 2013 - 16:03 UTC
The 2002 lost chance for the Gibraltar-Spain conflict according to former UK Europe minister Peter Hain

Former UK Europe Minister Peter Hain has said that the failure to recognise Spain’s historic claim over the Rock is the root of the issues Gibraltar has with its neighbours. Hain made his comments during an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
Wednesday, August 7th 2013 - 14:17 UTC
Mujica says Mercosur members must have more negotiating space with third parties

Uruguayan president Jose Mujica said that Mercosur should give its members more space to negotiate with third parties and supported linking to the Alliance of the Pacific, which nevertheless he argued is “part of a geopolitical involving China” and not accepted by Brazil.
Wednesday, August 7th 2013 - 14:12 UTC
Venezuela inflation in July 3.2% and 42.6% in the last twelve months

Venezuela consumer prices last month rose at the fastest pace since the index was created in 2008 amid worsening shortages of staple goods such as meat, sugar and milk. Prices rose 42.6% in July from a year earlier and 3.2% in the month, the central bank said in an e-mailed statement on Tuesday.
Wednesday, August 7th 2013 - 13:55 UTC
Falklands sends support message to Gibraltar; Cameron on the phone with Rajoy

The Falkland Islands sent on Wednesday a support message to Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and the people of Gibraltar which is under strong pressure and threats from Spain over border crossings while from London it was reported that PM David Cameron called Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy to raise concerns about the escalation of the situation.
Wednesday, August 7th 2013 - 03:16 UTC
CFK lectures Security Council: end of veto power and UK must abide Falklands’ resolution

President Cristina Fernandez, CFK, used the opportunity of Argentina at the rotating chair of the United Nations Security Council to demand an end to the veto power of its five permanent members (United States, Russia, China, Britain and France), and criticize the UK refusal to engage in Falkland Islands sovereignty discussions.
Wednesday, August 7th 2013 - 03:11 UTC
”Christ the Redeemer became flesh…in Hugo Chavez”, says President Maduro

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Monday compared Hugo Chavez to Christ and said that the late president, just like Jesus, “came to protect those who had nothing”, in a tribute to the fallen leader on the fifth month anniversary of his death.