Stories for May 31st 2013

Friday, May 31st 2013 - 19:05 UTC
Tobacco is the deadliest global pandemic, says former Uruguayan president Vazquez

Calling tobacco use the deadliest global pandemic ever, Uruguay’s former President Tabaré Vázquez urged decision makers to step up efforts to curb smoking in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Friday, May 31st 2013 - 17:23 UTC
Falklands’ government praised for five year plan to develop oil and gas industry

The Specialist Oil & Gas Advisor for the Falkland Islands Government (FIG), Anne Drinkwater has stated that the Falkland Islands are an attractive location for the oil and gas industry and has praised FIG five year plan which sets the desired economic and social context for development generally.
Friday, May 31st 2013 - 07:34 UTC
Vice-president Biden praises and challenges Brazil; meets Rousseff on Friday

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden encouraged Brazil to open its economy further to keep up with free trade trends worldwide during a visit aimed at boosting business between the two largest economies in the Americas.
Friday, May 31st 2013 - 07:27 UTC
Venezuela threatens Colombia after Santos meets opposition leader Capriles

Caracas is furious over a Wednesday meeting between Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elías Jaua told state television the meeting “will bring a derailment of the good relations that we have” while Parliament Speaker Diosdado Cabello compared the meeting to “placing a bomb on the train.”
Friday, May 31st 2013 - 07:19 UTC
Despite great agriculture performance Brazil’s economy first quarter result disappoints

Brazil's economy grew 0.6% in the first quarter of 2013, compared with the final quarter of last year, the government said this week. The figure could confirm official projections that the economy would recover following the slowdown experienced over the past two years.
Friday, May 31st 2013 - 07:15 UTC
Fearing high inflation Brazil raises basic rate 50 basic points to 8%

Brazil's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate on Wednesday to 8% from 7.5%, as part of an effort to battle high inflation in an economy that keeps struggling with slow growth.
Friday, May 31st 2013 - 07:04 UTC
Falklands fines Korea and Taiwan companies for straddling in Argentine waters

Falkland Islands Government Director of Natural Resources John Barton said that he is confident that there won’t be any repetition in the future of recent offences by companies licensed to fish in Falklands waters.
Friday, May 31st 2013 - 06:57 UTC
Royal College of Defence Studies’ members visit Chile as part of Latam tour

Fifteen members of the Royal College of Defense Studies (RCDS) visited Chile in mid-May as part of their study tour to Latin America. The visitors came from the UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lebanon, India, Netherlands, Uganda, Turkey and Estonia.
Friday, May 31st 2013 - 06:41 UTC
Iran/Argentina memorandum involved in a further controversy

Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman met on Thursday with Interpol top officials and said he received ‘very strong support’ for the memorandum signed with Iran, which includes the questioning of those allegedly involved in the 1994 attack on the Jewish organization AMIA in Buenos Aires that killed 85 and left dozens injured.
Friday, May 31st 2013 - 02:23 UTC
Falkland Islands: C24 must go to the territories and respect their basic human right to choose their own form of government

The Falkland Islands are only asking the international community to support the fundamental human right of Falkland Islanders to choose their own form of government, to exercise their right to self determination, said lawmaker Mike Summers during his presentation at the United Nations Decolonization Committee (24) Caribbean regional seminar, in reference to the recent referendum held in the Islands, whose sovereignty is disputed by the UK and Argentina.