Stories for February 2013

Monday, February 18th 2013 - 06:29 UTC
Russian meteor: 17 metres wide, weighed 10.000 tons and crashed at 64.373 km/h says NASA

The meteor that exploded over Russia Friday was slightly larger than previously thought and more powerful, too, NASA scientists say. The explosion over the city of Chelyabinsk, on Friday injured more than 1,000 people and blew out windows across the region in a massive blast captured on cameras by frightened witnesses.
Monday, February 18th 2013 - 06:26 UTC
New strain of dengue further exposes Paraguay’s population to the spreading disease

Paraguay health officials have detected a new strain of the tropical mosquito-transmitted disease dengue identified as serotype 4, the first case reported since last year which expands significantly the population’s exposure. Likewise the latest official report indicates 26 confirmed dengue deaths and over 13.000 infected.
Monday, February 18th 2013 - 06:23 UTC
Cuba’s best-known dissident with ‘knees trembling’ makes it through Havana airport without incident

Cuba's best-known dissident, blogger Yoani Sánchez checked in without incident at Havana's international airport on Sunday on her way to Brazil, the first stop on an 80-day-tour of a dozen countries. She was sent off with hugs by a small group of family members and friends.
Monday, February 18th 2013 - 06:18 UTC
Mantega anticipates higher interest rate to help keep inflation under control

Brazil’s Finance minister Guido Mantega in Moscow for the G-20 meeting, said that inflation above the government's target raises a yellow flag and that monetary policy, not the exchange rate, is the right tool to control prices.
Monday, February 18th 2013 - 06:14 UTC
Brazil deploys elite forces in southern state to contain wave of violent attacks from drug lords

Elite police commando units fanned out across the streets of the Brazilian southern state of Santa Catarina over the weekend in an attempt to contain a wave of violent attacks over the past two weeks.
Monday, February 18th 2013 - 03:50 UTC
The postage stamp war for the Falkland Islands

Albert-Friedrich Gruene of the Falkland Island Philatelic Study Group offers a fascinating insight into Britain and Argentina’s use of the postage stamp over the past 77 years in an illustrated ‘battle’ for the Falklands. The article was published in Penguin News.
Monday, February 18th 2013 - 00:24 UTC
Cruise industry warns South America: itinerary costs are three times higher than in the Mediterranean

Representatives from the cruise industry have cautioned Uruguay that port operational costs in South America could have a negative impact on what has been a steady increase of business in the last few seasons and this impact could be felt as soon as next year despite the fact that the 2012/2013 season on the Atlantic is proving to be quite successful despite an uncertain start. “Itineraries’ costs in South America are three times those of the Mediterranean”.
Saturday, February 16th 2013 - 21:24 UTC
Human right activists in Uruguay storm the Supreme Court to protest judge’s transfer

The Uruguayan police evicted dozens of protestors that during three hours occupied the seat of the Supreme Court to impede the transfer of a magistrate, closely linked to human rights cases, from the criminal to the civil forum. Magistrate Mariana Mota has dealt with some of Uruguay’s most notorious human rights cases dating back to the twelve years of military dictatorship, (1973/1985).
Saturday, February 16th 2013 - 21:05 UTC
G-20 rejects a ‘currency war’, but global situation too fragile to confirm it in facts

The Group of 20 nations declared there would be no 'currency war' and deferred plans to set new debt-cutting targets in an indication of concern about the fragile state of the world economy.
Saturday, February 16th 2013 - 20:50 UTC
Brazilian business community demands the country signs trade accords with third countries

Brazilian businesspeople and diplomats expressed their disappointment with Mercosur and said it was crucial for Brazil to sign free trade agreements on its own with third countries, which under current rules of the South American trade block are not allowed.