Stories for 2012

Friday, August 10th 2012 - 07:57 UTC
Brazil votes affirmative action for blacks and minorities in federal universities

The Brazilian Senate has approved an affirmative action bill that reserves half the spots in federal universities for high school graduates of public schools, and distributes them according to the racial makeup of each state.
Friday, August 10th 2012 - 07:49 UTC
Brazil reminds Paraguay that Itaipu power is jointly shared and managed

Brazil reminded Paraguay it can use the power it needs from the giant Itaipu hydro but there is a contract which regulates how to manage the surplus. A day earlier president Federico Franco said that Paraguay would not “yield” any more electricity to Brazil.
Friday, August 10th 2012 - 07:35 UTC
FAO warns countries against a repeat of the 2007/08 food prices crisis

The world could face a food crisis of the kind seen in 2007/08 if countries restrict exports on concerns about a drought-fuelled grain price rally, the UN food agency FAO warned, after reporting a surge in global food prices in July.
Friday, August 10th 2012 - 07:21 UTC
Argentine private agencies July inflation 1.76% and 24.13% in twelve months

Argentine opposition lawmakers presented on Thursday July’s inflation index based in the analysis of nine private agencies, which showed a 1.76% increase against the previous month and doubles the official index from the government of President Cristina Fernandez.
Friday, August 10th 2012 - 07:16 UTC
Volcanic pumice mass, size of Belgium floating off the coast of New Zealand

A mass of small volcanic rocks nearly the size of Belgium has been discovered floating off the coast of New Zealand, reports the Auckland media. The stretch of golf-ball-size pumice rocks was first spotted this week by a New Zealand air force plane about 1,000 kilometres northwest of Auckland.
Friday, August 10th 2012 - 07:03 UTC
Falklands, an “excellent investment destination” for the oil industry

The Falkland Islands Government has welcomed the news of a farm-in agreement between Falkland Oil and Gas Ltd and US based Noble Energy which was announced on Monday and confirms the Falklands as an “excellent investment destination”.
Thursday, August 9th 2012 - 06:47 UTC
For Argentine unions, food basket inflation is 52% higher than the official index

Argentine organized labour CGT, announced that based on their own analysis of the products that make up the basic food basket, on average they are 52% more expensive than those analyzed by the official statistics office, Indec
Thursday, August 9th 2012 - 06:45 UTC
Protesting students clash with police in Santiago: 49 police injured and 75 arrests

Police in Santiago used water cannons and tear gas as thousands of students took to the streets, raging against the government's policy on education. Vandals set buses ablaze and attacked government property amid violence that left 49 Carabineros injured and 75 people arrested.
Thursday, August 9th 2012 - 06:38 UTC
Chilean inflation flat in July; accumulates 2.5% in the last 12 months

The Chilean consumer price index showed no variation in July in contrast to the surprise 0.3% drop in June, as increases in food and non-alcoholic drinks offset falls in clothing, footwear and utilities, according to the national statistics agency INE.
Thursday, August 9th 2012 - 06:33 UTC
Venezuela inflation slows down for seventh month running: 19.4% in last 12 months

Venezuela's annual inflation slowed for a seventh straight month in July, coming in below 20% for the first time in years. Finance Minister Jorge Giordani said annual inflation to July was 19.4% percent, below the 20 to 22% estimated in the government's budget for this year.