Stories for May 2013

Saturday, May 18th 2013 - 06:21 UTC
Argentine Antarctic campaigns disarray and corruption claims turn off recruiting

Argentina’s Antarctica campaigns are losing their flair and the country is having difficulties to fill vacancies for the 2013/14 season. This follows repeated claims of alleged corruption and delays in supplying the bases and stations plus an overall lack of support from the Defence ministry.
Saturday, May 18th 2013 - 03:35 UTC
“Blue” dollar in Argentina picks up in last day of trading and reaches 8.95 Pesos

In the last business day of the week in Buenos Aires, the parallel market or ‘blue’ dollar rose to 8.95 Pesos (selling price) after its declining tendency during the week, while the official rate ended steady at exchange houses at 5.245 Pesos (selling price). The gap between the two markets stands at over 70%.
Saturday, May 18th 2013 - 03:30 UTC
Argentina forces cancellation of all Lan flights by suspending ground services

LAN Chile halted on Friday all its flights in Argentina until Saturday morning after the state company Intercargo which provides ground support for the airline, unilaterally decided to cancel the service despite court orders to the contrary.
Saturday, May 18th 2013 - 03:04 UTC
Chile confirms its commitment to the cruise industry at the Convention in Valaparaiso

Chilean officials, led by Felix de Vicente Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism, joined senior cruise line executives, port and destination leaders, tour operators, travel agents and suppliers for a robust Seatrade Latin America Cruise Convention in Valparaiso, Chile.
Saturday, May 18th 2013 - 03:01 UTC
Argentina, Brazil and the US form alliance of corn producers: Maizall

Corn groups from the US, Argentina and Brazil signed a memorandum of understanding this week to form an international alliance of corn producers, collectively called MAIZALL.
Saturday, May 18th 2013 - 01:11 UTC
UK attends with 28 companies the largest healthcare exhibition in Sao Paulo

UK Government Minister Ken Clarke is leading the UK's largest ever Healthcare Technology and Life Sciences delegation to Brazil. Twenty eight companies will travel to Sao Paulo to attend Hospitalar (21 – 24 May), the largest healthcare exhibition in South America, which is expecting to attract around 90,000 visitors – as well as taking part in the trade mission.
Saturday, May 18th 2013 - 00:56 UTC
Chile investigates alleged case of blast-fishing close to a major Humboldt rookery

The bodies of sea lions, cormorants and penguins were discovered on Sunday littering a seven mile stretch of beach in Punta de Choros, northern Chile, is the proximity of the Humboldt Penguin Nature Reserve. Fisheries officials and police are investigating since there are serious suspicions that the deaths were caused by local fishermen using explosives to increase catches.
Friday, May 17th 2013 - 23:02 UTC
Chile anticipates mild slowdown after years of strong growth

Chile's economy is entering a mild slowdown phase after years of strong growth said Finance Minister Felipe Larrain on Friday. Chile has been expanding at about 5.8% on average for the past three years despite global economic woes while maintaining enviably low inflation and jobless rates.
Friday, May 17th 2013 - 22:51 UTC
Colombian president Santos announces he will seek second term

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos gave advance notice Friday that he will seek a second term in the 2014 elections, though he added that, in compliance with the law, he will not make the formal announcement until six months prior to the vote.
Friday, May 17th 2013 - 17:58 UTC
Argentine ex-military dictator sentenced to life, Jorge Videla dies in jail cell

Jorge Rafael Videla, a former army commander who led Argentina during the bloodiest period of a “dirty war” dictatorship and was unrepentant about kidnappings and murders ordered by the state, died on Friday at age 87.