Stories for May 2013

Thursday, May 2nd 2013 - 07:37 UTC
Falkland Islands’ economy ‘strangling’ and intimidation by Argentina reported in British media

Argentina’s ongoing attempts to strangle the Falkland Islands economy by intimidating cruise vessels from calling at Stanley and other islands has been picked up by the Daily Mail in an article written by Ian Drury.
Thursday, May 2nd 2013 - 07:29 UTC
Brazil’s primary surplus well below target because of ‘government efforts to prop the economy’

Brazil posted a budget primary surplus of 3.5 billion Reais (1.75bn dollars) in March, recovering after a deficit in February, but still the worst performance in the first quarter of the last four years, according to central bank data released this week.
Thursday, May 2nd 2013 - 07:23 UTC
Israel defense supplier to establish an aerospace research hub in south Brazil

Israeli defense giant Elbit Systems Ltd. plans to create a hub of aerospace research in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, company officials said.
Thursday, May 2nd 2013 - 07:18 UTC
Foreign Office and Parliament plan strategy ahead of Scotland’s independence referendum

Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague welcomed the publication of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Report on foreign policy considerations for an independent Scotland. The Foreign Affairs Committee announced its inquiry into ‘the foreign policy implications of and for a separate Scotland’ on 18 July 2012.
Thursday, May 2nd 2013 - 07:12 UTC
Following the beatings of opposition members, OAS calls for dialogue in Venezuelan congress

The Organization of American States (OAS) expressed concern over the acts of violence that took place on Tuesday in the National Assembly of Venezuela and noted that “this reflects, in a dramatic way, the absence of a political dialogue that could reassure the public and the branches of government, in order to resolve the outstanding issues in this country in a climate of peace between all Venezuelans”.
Thursday, May 2nd 2013 - 07:06 UTC
YPF admits ‘inflation in Argentina is a problem” and could be higher by next year

Argentine nationalized energy company YPF warned on Tuesday that inflation in the country may keep rising and affect its results, a rare admission considering the company is controlled by a government known for playing down the problem.
Thursday, May 2nd 2013 - 07:01 UTC
Morales expels USAID to protest Kerry’ reference of Latam as the ‘US backyard’

President Evo Morales expelled a US development agency from Bolivia, marking the latest confrontation between Washington and a bloc of populist governments in Latin America.
Thursday, May 2nd 2013 - 06:33 UTC
Fire in Argentina knocks out main refinery and imports of gasoline and diesel trebled

Almost four million barrels of diesel and gasoline were shipped from Europe and the US to Argentina where a recent major fire in the country’s main refinery significantly diminished the supply of refined produce. The situation could extend for another two years, according to private estimates from the oil industry.
Thursday, May 2nd 2013 - 06:25 UTC
Argentina natural gas imports in March soar 74% compared to a year ago

Argentina's natural gas imports rose 74% to 28.4 million cubic meters/d in March, compared with 16.3 million cu m/d in the year-earlier period, the country’s Energy Secretariat said Monday. Imports were up 16% compared with 24.5 million cu m/d in February, according to a monthly data report.
Thursday, May 2nd 2013 - 06:18 UTC
Petrobras continues divestment program: sells blocks in US Gulf of Mexico

Brazil’s Petrobras is selling its 20% stake in the Gila prospect in the US Gulf of Mexico as part of its ongoing divestment program. The state-owned company said it had signed a sale and purchase agreement for the sale of its equity in exploration blocks KC 49, 50, 92, 93, 94 and 138, which make up the BP-operated asset.