Stories for January 2013

Monday, January 14th 2013 - 04:02 UTC
Argentine government ‘dollar clamp’ suffers another court defeat

A court in the Argentine province of Cordoba ordered the Banco Nación to sell US dollars to a teacher, after she was authorized by AFIP tax agency to purchase Brazilian Reais, but could not do so due to lack of currency.
Monday, January 14th 2013 - 03:53 UTC
“Where is the reconstruction money?” asks Haiti on third anniversary of devastating quake

Three years after a massive earthquake ravaged Haiti, President Michel Martelly said on Saturday his country was slowly rebuilding, despite the ongoing day-to-day misery of many survivors and the still to be honoured promises of international aid and donations.
Monday, January 14th 2013 - 03:28 UTC
Cubans a little bit more free: restrictions on overseas travel relaxed after 50 years

After over half a century, Cuba's new immigration rules that will take effect on January 14 will relax overseas travel restrictions, Havana authorities said. From Tuesday Cubans intending to travel can apply for a passport without the need to present a government permit, known as the White Card, or an invitation letter from abroad, two prior requisites that made travel planning more onerous, according to Cuba's immigration bureau (IND).
Monday, January 14th 2013 - 03:21 UTC
Gibraltar anticipates rough year with Spain because of Treaty of Utrecht 300 years

Gibraltar must remain steadfast in its own position on sovereignty the Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has made clear. In a wide-ranging New Year message broadcast last week on GBC Mr Picardo took up the recent remarks made by Spain’s ruling party (Partido Popular) and urged them to return to tripartite dialogue as the (opposition) PSOE in Andalucia is also urging.
Monday, January 14th 2013 - 03:12 UTC
Falklands’ referendum: CFK letter to PM Cameron distributed to UN General Assembly members

The open letter sent by Argentine president Cristina Fernandez to Prime Minister David Cameron demanding the return of the Falkland Islands, which allegedly were “forcibly stripped” from Buenos Aires in 1833 will be distributed as a document among members of the UN General Assembly, on request from the Argentine ambassador Maria Perceval.
Saturday, January 12th 2013 - 18:57 UTC
P&O cruise line suspends stops in Argentina, confirms calls in the Falklands

British cruise line operator P&O has scrapped stops in Argentina because of continuing tensions with the country over the Falkland Islands. Two of its vessels will no longer dock at three Argentine port destinations on around-the-world cruises. The decision was taken because there was no guarantee they will be able to dock.
Saturday, January 12th 2013 - 18:26 UTC
Bluefin tuna opens 2013 with record auction price at Tsukiji: 1.78 million dollars

The price of premium “Oma” bluefin tunas has reached a new record: JPY 155.4 million or 1.78 million dollars, in the first auction of 2013 at Tokyo's Tsukiji Fish market, compared to JPY 56.49 million (640.696 dollars) in the first auction of 2012.
Saturday, January 12th 2013 - 18:18 UTC
Chilean fish exports total 3.8bn in ten months; salmon the main item with 1.2bn

Chilean exports of fishery products and aquaculture in the first 10 months of 2012 reached 3.8 billion dollars,1% over the same period in 2011. But the volume of exports increased 11.3%, according to the latest stats from Chile’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Under-Secretariat (Subpesca).
Saturday, January 12th 2013 - 18:05 UTC
Maduro administration bans four clips on postponement of Chavez inauguration

Venezuela’s National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel) launched proceedings on 9 January against the terrestrial television station Globovisión over its broadcast of four clips about the postponement of the inauguration of President Hugo Chavez for a new six-year term, originally scheduled for the following day.
Saturday, January 12th 2013 - 17:53 UTC
Methanex Canada to idle plant in Punta Arenas because of insufficient gas provision

Chilean Energy minister Jorge Bunster regretted on Friday Methanex Canada announcement on its decision to idle operations in Chile in March due to lack of adequate natural gas supply. The company stated that it does not have sufficient feedstock to keep the plant in operation given the natural gas supply challenges.