Stories for January 2012

Monday, January 30th 2012 - 06:57 UTC
Violent clashes and massive arrests in California; big battle expected Monday in Washington DC

In the best Latin American or European tradition more than 400 anti-Wall Street protesters were arrested in Oakland during a night of violent skirmishes in which police fired tear gas and bean bag projectiles, the city said on Sunday, marking one of the biggest mass arrests since nationwide economic protests began last year.
Monday, January 30th 2012 - 06:53 UTC
Jack mackerel disappearing in South Pacific, fingers point to Chile

Jack mackerel stocks have plummeted from an estimated 30 million tons to less than 3 million in 20 years. An eight-country investigation of the fishing industry in the southern Pacific by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) shows that this phenomenon foreshadows progressive collapse of fish populations across the world's oceans.
Monday, January 30th 2012 - 06:40 UTC
American Airlines increases flights to seven major Brazilian cities

American Airlines announced changes to its coming spring and summer schedule that will expand the airline’s presence in Brazil. Next December, American’s route between Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Sao Paulo (GRU) will be operating with the new state-of-the-art Boeing 777-300ER, making Brazil the first market for the new aircraft.
Monday, January 30th 2012 - 06:36 UTC
Raul Castro’s political reforms remain an announcement

President Raul Castro defended Cuba's one-party political system as a bulwark against US imperialism and said it would remain as it is in a speech on Sunday to a Communist Party conference.
Monday, January 30th 2012 - 06:25 UTC
Contruction of St Helena airport begins next May, should be ready in 48 months

The Argentina press announced on Sunday the construction of an airport in the middle of the Atlantic Island of St Helena, a British Overseas Territory and which would become a crucial hopping point for the Falklands/UK air bridge.
Saturday, January 28th 2012 - 10:16 UTC
Brazil exceeded budget primary target last year and is optimistic about 2012

Brazil’s central government exceeded its budget target for 2011 by posting a primary surplus (excluding interest payments) of 93.5 billion Reais (53.7 billion dollars) for the year.
Saturday, January 28th 2012 - 10:11 UTC
Fitch downgrades Italy and Spain ratings; Milan police raid agencies offices

The credit ratings of Italy, Spain and three other Euro-area countries were cut by Fitch Ratings, which said the five nations lack financing flexibility in the face of the regional debt crisis.
Saturday, January 28th 2012 - 10:02 UTC
Mexico inaugurates Latam’s second supercomputer by size and speed

Mexican scientists inaugurated Latin America's No. 2 supercomputer by size and speed, with the ability to process 24.9 trillion operations per second, authorities said.
Saturday, January 28th 2012 - 09:56 UTC
Argentina has “phenomenal” tight natural-gas prospects and “explosive output” is forecasted

Exxon Mobil Corp and Americas Petrogas Inc have “phenomenal” tight natural-gas prospects in Argentina and expect “explosive” output growth in 5 years, said Guimar Vaca Coca, managing director of Americas Petrogas.
Saturday, January 28th 2012 - 09:51 UTC
‘King Leo’makes the cover of this week’s TIME magazine but not in the US

Argentine born Lionel Messi, three-time FIFA player of the year, is on the cover of this week's Time, but only if you buy it in Europe, Asia or the South Pacific. The United States cover is actually devoted to “The Power of Shyness”.