Stories for May 2015

Wednesday, May 6th 2015 - 06:42 UTC
Argentine S. Court ratifies Chief Justice; Cristina Fernandez wants to impeach a second Justice

In another chapter of the ongoing dispute between Argentine president Cristina Fernández and a non-submissive Judiciary, the country's Supreme Court issued a statement on Tuesday ratifying Ricardo Lorenzetti as Chief Justice for three more years starting in 2016, following versions that he was pushing to leave the SC on yet unclear “moral fatigue” grounds.
Wednesday, May 6th 2015 - 06:34 UTC
Despite devastating rains and floods Chile's economy grew 1.6% in March

Chile's economy grew at a modest pace in March, as a gradual rebound was weighed down by devastating floods and mudslides in its northern region, central bank data showed on Tuesday. The IMACEC economic activity index, which encompasses about 90% of the economy tallied in GDP figures, rose 1.6% in March from the same month a year ago.
Wednesday, May 6th 2015 - 06:18 UTC
Cutting down killer whale toothfish snacking in South Georgia

Studies of killer whales (Orca) in South Georgia waters may help fishermen avoid the whales stealing the fish off the fishing long-lines (termed depredation), according to the latest edition of South Georgia Newsletter.
Wednesday, May 6th 2015 - 06:06 UTC
Punta Arenas cruise visitors this season totaled 56.383 with 100 calls

The results of the 2014/2015 cruise season were considered 'positive' for Punta Arenas, in the extreme south of Chile, which received 100 vessel calls, of which 40 international and 60 domestic, totaling 56.383 visitors, a similar number to the previous season.
Wednesday, May 6th 2015 - 05:49 UTC
US approves licenses for passenger ferry service with Cuba

The US Treasury Department has approved licenses for passenger ferry service between the United States and Cuba, a Treasury Department official announced. One of the licenses was issued to Baja Ferries, part of a major shipping group with passengers and cargo operations, including on Mexico's west coast, according to a lawyer who handled the license application.
Tuesday, May 5th 2015 - 17:50 UTC
China warms up to Taiwan and calls for future relations on an “equal basis”

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with the chairman of Taiwan's ruling Nationalist Party (KMT) in Beijing on Monday for the highest-level meeting between the two sides since 2009.
Tuesday, May 5th 2015 - 17:38 UTC
Brad Pitt invited to Ecuador to observe the 'pollution disaster” allegedly caused by Chevron

US cinema star Brad Pitt has been invited by the Ecuadorian government to observe the pollution in the country's Amazon region allegedly caused by Chevron. President Rafael Correa announced the invitation in his regular weekend report, saying that the oil giant is in preparation of spearheading a film with the movie star about an alleged case against the company.
Tuesday, May 5th 2015 - 10:01 UTC
Mercosur prepared to consider the possibility of a 'two-speed' system with EU

Paraguay's foreign affairs minister Eladio Loizaga admitted in Madrid that Mercosur could consider the possibility of a “two-speed” system in trade and cooperation negotiations with the European Union. The minister was the main speaker at the event organized by Casa de America and the Spanish government news agency EFE.
Tuesday, May 5th 2015 - 09:52 UTC
Mercosur main partners' bilateral trade stalled for the last six years

Bilateral trade between Mercosur main partners Argentina and Brazil, has stalled at an annual 30bn dollars during the last six years (2008/2014), with no prospects of a recovery during 2015, according to Finsoport consultants from Buenos Aires.
Tuesday, May 5th 2015 - 09:35 UTC
Mujica admits his 'most intimate respect' for Cristina Fernandez, but...

Uruguayan former president Jose Mujica expressed in Buenos Aires his “most intimate respect” for Argentine president Cristina Fernandez and revealed that on occasions he came across her when “she was annoyed as a bad, cornered spider”.