Stories for February 16th 2012

Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 07:13 UTC
Brazil main airline betters profits; prepares to join one of the world’s largest carriers

TAM, Brazil's largest airline, reported a fourth-quarter profit on rising ticket prices, fanning expectations of more profitable operations in the year ahead despite recent cost pressures.
Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 05:13 UTC
Argentine maritime workers ratify ‘random blockade’ of British vessels

The Argentine Confederation of Transportation Workers (CATT) ratified on Wednesday that it would randomly block British ships from docking on Argentine ports, in response to the UK’s refusal to negotiate the Malvinas Islands’ sovereignty.
Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 05:09 UTC
Argentina fines YPF for un-paid tax bill further straining relation with the industry

Argentina’s largest energy company YPF, dropped the most in the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange’s leading share index on Wednesday after the federal tax agency banned it from importing and exporting because of an unpaid tax bill.
Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 04:47 UTC
US disregards Argentine claim of UK’s Falklands’ and South Atlantic ‘militarization’

It took a couple of days but finally on Wednesday US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said the US “has no concerns” about the alleged ‘militarization’ of the South Atlantic which was denounced by Argentina last week before the United Nations at three different levels.
Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 04:39 UTC
Ban Ki-moon praises Latinamerica on 45th anniversary of nuclear weapon-free zone pact

On the 45th anniversary of the treaty that created a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Latin America and the Caribbean, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed the pact as an example of how regional initiatives can advance global norms on nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and the peaceful use of atomic energy.
Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 04:32 UTC
Cristina Fernandez to visit Piñera in Chile March 15 and 16

Argentine President Cristina Fernández will make an official visit to Chile next month, amidst a power struggle as both Argentina and the UK struggle to gather support from the international community in the Falklands/Malvinas Islands controversy.
Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 04:28 UTC
French president Sarkozy confirms re-election bid; trails Socialist candidate by 15 points

President Nicolas Sarkozy formally declared his candidacy for a second term on Wednesday seeking to overturn a wide poll lag with promises to get the unemployed back to work and use referendums to consult the French people on reforms.
Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 03:54 UTC
Islanders’ flash-rally to express unhappiness with world media coverage of Falklands’ dispute

On a beautiful Wednesday evening, 130 vehicles and as many as 300 people from the Falklands Islands joined a flash-rally to express their feelings about the current political tensions with Argentina that have escalated over the last few months.