Stories for August 2012

Thursday, August 16th 2012 - 04:40 UTC
Brazilian president riding high in approval ratings despite economic slowdown

President Dilma Rousseff continues to enjoy high approval ratings as Brazilians remain mostly unaffected by the country's recent economic slowdown, according to a poll released on Tuesday.
Thursday, August 16th 2012 - 04:31 UTC
Supreme Tribunal rejects request to include Lula da Silva in the corruption scheme

Brazil Federal Supreme Tribunal denied on Wednesday a request to include former president Lula da Silva in the so-called “trial of the century” involving 38 former ministers and lawmakers accused of an extended bribes scheme.
Thursday, August 16th 2012 - 02:26 UTC
Mujica working for more trade agreements and a Mercosur with ‘flexibility’

Uruguay needs “new markets and new partners” and must try to diversify trade with the largest possible number of agreements to make Mercosur more flexible and anticipate the current process in Argentina, said President Jose Mujica.
Thursday, August 16th 2012 - 01:44 UTC
US consumer prices in 12 months to July reach 1.4%, down from June’s 1.7%

US consumer prices were flat in July for a second straight month and the year-over-year increase was the smallest since November 2010. In the 12 months to July the CPI rose 1.4%, slowing from June's 1.7% rise, the US Labour Department said on Wednesday.
Thursday, August 16th 2012 - 01:38 UTC
Brazil invites private sector to invest in new highways and railways plan

Brazil's government unveiled on Wednesday measures to lure up to 133 billion Reais (66 billion dollars) in private investment for new roads and railways needed to unclog the country's transportation bottlenecks.
Thursday, August 16th 2012 - 01:29 UTC
For consular purposes Uruguay considers Malvinas as the “dependent territory” of the Islas Falklands

For consular purposes the Uruguayan Foreign Affairs ministry refers to the Malvinas Islands, which are claimed by Argentina with the support of Mercosur members, as the “dependent territory” of the “Islas Falklands”.
Thursday, August 16th 2012 - 01:24 UTC
Ecuador claims UK prepared to raid London embassy to catch Assange

Ecuador said on Wednesday the British government had threatened to raid its embassy in London if WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is not handed over, and that Quito would make its decision on his asylum request on Thursday.
Thursday, August 16th 2012 - 01:11 UTC
Two Islanders to represent the Falkland Islands at Commonwealth Youth Parliament

Two young Falkland Islanders, Stacy Bragger and Krysteen Ormond, have been nominated by the Legislative Assembly to represent the Falkland Islands at the 5th Commonwealth Youth Parliament (CYP) in London between 4th-8th December 2012. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association has accepted both candidates.
Wednesday, August 15th 2012 - 23:50 UTC
Uruguay discourages short-term capital inflow to ensure macroeconomic stability

Uruguay's central bank unveiled measures on Wednesday aimed at cooling the local Peso's appreciation by discouraging foreign investment in the bank's short-term debt. To combat the Peso's rise, officials ordered that 40% of new foreign capital invested in central bank bills be frozen in an account at the central bank.
Wednesday, August 15th 2012 - 23:40 UTC
World Health Organization praises Australia’s high court ruling on cigarette packaging

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday it strongly welcomes the landmark decision from Australia’s High Court to dismiss a legal challenge from the tobacco industry, and calls on the rest of the world to follow Australia’s tough stance on tobacco marketing.