Stories for February 15th 2012

Wednesday, February 15th 2012 - 05:50 UTC
Brazil and Germany committed to achieve the EU/Mercosur trade agreement

Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota and his visiting German counterpart Guido Westerwelle on Monday called for signing a free trade agreement between the European Union and the South American trade bloc Mercosur.
Wednesday, February 15th 2012 - 05:46 UTC
UK Defence Select Committee plans to visit the Falklands next month

British lawmakers will visit the Falkland Islands next month in a move that is likely to heighten tensions between Britain and Argentina over the Islands, The Times reported on Wednesday.
Wednesday, February 15th 2012 - 05:42 UTC
Cameron rings Chilean president to discuss Falklands and self determination

Chilean president Sebastián Piñera received a surprise phone call at his summer residence on Tuesday afternoon from PM David Cameron who referred to the current Falklands dispute.
Wednesday, February 15th 2012 - 05:37 UTC
Red Ensign vessel unloads LNG in Argentina

In the midst of the diplomatic escalation between Argentina and the UK over the Malvinas dispute and the coming 30th anniversary of the Falklands conflict, a red ensign Liquefied Natural Gas Carrier (LNGC) docked in Argentina.
Wednesday, February 15th 2012 - 05:32 UTC
Argentina on the verge of “unprecedented energy shortage”, say former ministers

Argentina’s Energy Institute, IAE, warned that the country faces an “unprecedented energy crisis” with strong drops in hydrocarbons reserves, production and the loss of self sufficiency.
Wednesday, February 15th 2012 - 05:28 UTC
Argentine labour accuses CFK of “escalating repression” and endangering human rights policy

Argentina’s organized labour hit back at President Cristina Fernandez and expressed concern over what it described the “escalation” of government repression and hoped the country keeps to state policies of persuasion and unrestricted respect for human rights.
Wednesday, February 15th 2012 - 05:24 UTC
Dominica disassociates from barring Falklands’ flagged vessels from its ports

The Caribbean island nation of Dominica has joined Antigua and Barbuda in seeking to clear the air on an ALBA statement supporting Argentina’s claim to the Falkland Islands, in Buenos Aires dispute with Britain over the South Atlantic Islands.
Wednesday, February 15th 2012 - 00:37 UTC
Uruguay signs first hydrocarbons on-shore exploration contract with US company

Uruguay’s hydrocarbons refining company Ancap signed on Tuesday an agreement with US company Schuepbach Energy to begin exploration for oil and gas in the north and centre of the country.
Wednesday, February 15th 2012 - 00:33 UTC
Brazil and Paraguay soybean harvest forecast downgraded because of lack of rain

Oil World cut its forecast for Brazil and Paraguay soybean production, extending the run of downgrades amid ideas that rains in the last two weeks has been insufficient to put a hold on crop losses.
Wednesday, February 15th 2012 - 00:27 UTC
Brazil imposes extra levies on blanket imports from Uruguay and Paraguay

Brazil imposed additional levies on the import of blankets from Mercosur associates Paraguay and Uruguay alleging triangulation of Chinese textiles, which are restricted because of dumping practices.