Stories for May 16th 2013

Thursday, May 16th 2013 - 22:18 UTC
OAS praises Ecuador ‘civic spirit’ and suggests regulating use of public resources for electoral purposes

The Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) received this week the oral report of the Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) that accompanied the process of general elections in Ecuador on February 17, which was presented by the Chief of Mission Rafael Alburquerque, who stressed the “great civic spirit” of Ecuadorians.
Thursday, May 16th 2013 - 19:39 UTC
Falklands’ lawmakers meet Chaco human rights group following formal Argentine request

On request from a group of human rights representatives from Chaco, Argentina, Falkland Islands lawmakers met and listened to their views on a number of issues resulting from the 1982 war. The meeting followed a formal request from the group directly to the Falklands elected Legislative Assembly.
Thursday, May 16th 2013 - 19:34 UTC
Solar activity at its 11-year peak; major flares could impact Earth over the weekend

Between Sunday and Monday, and within a 24 hour period, the sun has let lose three major flares, all in the X range. Solar flares are rated on a scale with X flares being among the largest possible. The latest flare erupted Monday night and registered as an X3.2, which is so far the most powerful solar flare of 2013.
Thursday, May 16th 2013 - 19:23 UTC
Females take the top three seats in the new Ecuadorean National Assembly

The newly elected Ecuadorean National Assembly sat for the first time this week and next week will take the oath of office to President Rafael Correa, who was re-elected by a landslide last February. The legislative with 137 members has a majority of members from Correa’s party Alliance Country Movement, and was elected for a four-year mandate.
Thursday, May 16th 2013 - 19:17 UTC
US will continue to be a country of immigrants according to census projections

A wave of immigrants is set to become the principal driver of US population growth within 30 years, surpassing growth from births for the first time since the mid-1800's, federal government estimates show.
Thursday, May 16th 2013 - 07:13 UTC
Cristina Fernandez will veto constitutional reform even from her militant lawmakers

Argentine President Cristina Fernández is not turning back on her word and even if Kirchnerite lawmakers propose and agree on a constitutional reform, she would certainly veto it, said Senator Aníbal Fernández.
Thursday, May 16th 2013 - 07:10 UTC
Argentina challenges EU bio-diesel import restriction rules before WTO

Argentina has launched a challenge at the World Trade Organization against European Union rules for importing and marketing bio-diesel, the WTO said.
Thursday, May 16th 2013 - 07:07 UTC
Falklands’ war: Defense releases stats on deaths of military personnel

A comprehensive statistical study of the deaths of personnel deployed to the Falklands since the end of the conflict has been published in the UK. The study, by Britain’s Defense Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) was published on Tuesday 14 May and is the first of its kind.
Thursday, May 16th 2013 - 06:55 UTC
Argentina inflation in April was 0.7%, according to the official stats office

Argentina’s Consumer Price Index was up 0.7% in April and 3.1% in the first four months of the year according to the official stats office, Indec. Clothing, education, transport and communications were the items which experienced the strongest increase over March.
Thursday, May 16th 2013 - 06:50 UTC
In Bolivia and suffering from altitude sickness, try Coca beer

A Bolivian brewer has come up with an innovative solution for quenching thirst and coping with altitude sickness: coca beer, based on the same leaf used to make cocaine.