Stories for December 2012

Wednesday, December 5th 2012 - 20:06 UTC
Brazilian industrial output expands in October, first annual increase in over a year

Brazilian industrial output posted its first annual increase in more than a year in October as a tax break on autos helped support a nascent recovery in the country's beleaguered manufacturing sector.
Wednesday, December 5th 2012 - 19:50 UTC
Polar ice sheets melting have added 11mm to global sea levels since 1992

Nearly two dozen research teams collaborated to study polar ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica and discovered definitively that they have added 11mm to global sea levels since 1992, melting ever more quickly.
Wednesday, December 5th 2012 - 19:27 UTC
Brazil confident for 2014 Cup but recalls the “national tragedy” of 1950 when defeated by Uruguay

Brazil must not repeat the “national tragedy” of losing the 2014 World Cup as it did when it hosted the event in 1950, the country’s Minister of Sport Aldo Rebelo said. “We cannot repeat the national tragedy of 1950 when we lost to Uruguay” Rebelo told foreign journalists visiting Brazil as part of the build up to the finals. “It was like losing to your younger brother.
Wednesday, December 5th 2012 - 19:15 UTC
Inflation in Uruguay remains out of target despite government efforts

Uruguay’s inflation in November was over 9% in the last twelve months despite government efforts to contain it by agreeing a price freeze with leading supermarkets and having public utilities’ rates unchanged.
Wednesday, December 5th 2012 - 19:02 UTC
Paraguay furious with Brazil for confirming Unasur suspension until August 2013

Paraguay declared “entirely unacceptable” statements from Brazilian Foreign minister Antonio Patriota who said that the April 2013 elections are “only an important step to re-examine” the country’s suspension from Unasur and Mercosur. Patriota’s statement was supported by Argentina.
Wednesday, December 5th 2012 - 18:50 UTC
OAS and Peru will discuss how to address socio-environment conflict in mining areas

The Organization of American States (OAS) will hold, on December 6 and 7 in Lima, Peru, the Meeting of Government Experts on the Management of Socio-Environmental Conflict for the countries of Central America and the Andean Region.
Wednesday, December 5th 2012 - 18:45 UTC
Brazil extends tax breaks to construction industry to spur growth

The Brazilian government extended tax breaks to the country's construction industry in a new effort to encourage investment and boost flagging growth which is putting pressure on the government to further include other stimuli measures.
Wednesday, December 5th 2012 - 18:32 UTC
WHO sponsored research helps identify heavy lead contaminated areas in Peru

Countries – especially those with a long mining history -- can substantially reduce lead poisoning in children by mapping contamination levels in the soil to identify high-risk areas and by taking measures to keep children away from those areas, according to a study published this month in the public health journal, the Bulletin of the World Health Organization.
Wednesday, December 5th 2012 - 18:26 UTC
Chevron dispute with Ecuador discussed by Correa with Cristina Fernandez

Ecuador's President Rafael Correa said he discussed with his Argentine counterpart Cristina Fernandez the legal dispute with US oil giant Chevron that has spilled over into her country.
Wednesday, December 5th 2012 - 18:17 UTC
Royal Navy has a new Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral Philip Jones

Royal Navy has welcomed its newly-appointed Fleet Commander and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff at a handover ceremony in Portsmouth. Vice Admiral Philip Jones takes up the role from outgoing Fleet Commander Admiral Sir George Zambellas who will continue in his NATO role, Commander Maritime Command, at Northwood in North West London.