Stories for June 26th 2013

Wednesday, June 26th 2013 - 22:12 UTC
Venezuela main purchaser of weapons in 2012, but Brazil has largest defence budget

The defence industry is booming in Latin America amid economic growth and greater concerns regarding national security, said the renowned security and defence consultancy firm IHS Jane's. Imports of weapons soared 16% in the subcontinent in 2008-2012, climbing from 3.42 billion to 3.96 billion dollars annually, the firm said in a report called “The Balance of Trade.”
Wednesday, June 26th 2013 - 22:07 UTC
Brazilian congress rejects controversial amendment limiting prosecutors’ powers

Brazil's congress late Tuesday evening rejected controversial amendment PEC 37, which would have limited the power of federal prosecutors to investigate crimes, and designated all royalties from newly discovered oil fields to education and healthcare.
Wednesday, June 26th 2013 - 21:02 UTC
Cristina Fernandez regrets Uruguay is not part of Argentina and praises Uruguayan liberator

President Cristina Fernandez deeply regretted that history did not allow Uruguay to be part of Argentina and blamed ‘so many other events that divided and separated’ the two neighbouring countries preventing them from being ‘a great, great nation’.
Wednesday, June 26th 2013 - 18:11 UTC
UN warns about the rise of legal ‘designer drugs’ which entice young consumers

A sharp rise in the variety of legal “designer drugs” with names that entice young people into thinking they pose no risk is alarming from a public health standpoint, the United Nations drugs agency said.
Wednesday, June 26th 2013 - 17:39 UTC
Santos wants Mujica in Colombia to help with the peace reconciliation process

President Juan Manuel Santos wants his Uruguayan peer Jose Mujica “much closer” to the Colombian peace process which is currently taking place in Cuba and has invited him to the country, said Foreign minister Maria Angela Holguin during a visit to Montevideo.
Wednesday, June 26th 2013 - 17:15 UTC
Ecuador tells Washington to submit its position on Snowden case ‘in writing’

Ecuador said on Wednesday the United States must “submit its position” regarding Edward Snowden to the Ecuadorian government in writing as it considers the former U.S. spy agency contractor's request for asylum. Ecuador, in a statement from its embassy in Washington, said it would review the request “responsibly”.
Wednesday, June 26th 2013 - 16:02 UTC
Francis names special commission to review activities of scandal-plagued Vatican bank

Pope Francis has set up a special commission to review the activities of the scandal-plagued Vatican bank to ensure that it operated in “harmony” with the mission of the Catholic Church, the Vatican confirmed.
Wednesday, June 26th 2013 - 15:24 UTC
Preserving independence for the Falklands

By Mike Summers (*)
Published in The Washington Times

In 1776, a group of American patriots wrote a letter to their king informing him they were unhappy with their political status and had plans to change it. Americans know this story well. That letter, the Declaration of Independence, formed the United States' profound belief that we all have “certain unalienable rights,” including “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Wednesday, June 26th 2013 - 05:13 UTC
Brazil’s top Justice suggests trimming the influence of political parties and an end to cupola deals

The president of Brazil’s Supreme Federal Tribunal (Supreme Court) Joaquim Barbosa argued in favour of diminishing the influence of political parties in decisions referred to the Brazilian people’s interest and supports the introduction of what he called “puffs of popular expression” in the current political system.
Wednesday, June 26th 2013 - 05:07 UTC
Massive protest expected in Belo Horizonte before the Brazil/Uruguay match

Demanding better public services and angered by World Cup costs, about 100.000 people are expected at a protest Wednesday before Brazil plays Uruguay in the Confederations Cup semi-finals.