Stories for June 2013

Tuesday, June 4th 2013 - 05:33 UTC
World Tourism Day will promote water conservation efforts

This year’s World Tourism Day (WTD) (September 27) theme focuses on tourism’s significant role and contribution to worldwide water conservation efforts. The theme is in line with the UN General Assembly’s declaration of 2013 as the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation, providing the opportunity to further highlight the shared responsibility of the tourism sector to the wider sustainability objectives.
Tuesday, June 4th 2013 - 05:27 UTC
Strong reaction from Bolivarian countries to Colombia’s cooperation with NATO

President Juan Manuel Santos announcement over the weekend that Colombia will look for a cooperation understanding with NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) on their invitation, has irked the so called Latinamerican group of ‘anti-imperialist countries’, at a moment when relations between neighbouring Colombia and Venezuela have hit a new low.
Tuesday, June 4th 2013 - 05:07 UTC
Uruguayan forestry company buys turbines for a 90 MW wind farm

Denmark’s Vestas Wind Systems wind-turbine maker received a 90-megawatt turbine order from Compañia Forestal Uruguaya SA for the Pintado power plant in south centre Uruguay. The 30 3-megawatt turbines project will be serviced by the company for 15 years and the farm is expected to be operational by the second quarter of next year.
Tuesday, June 4th 2013 - 05:05 UTC
Brazil provides billions to fund renewable-power and bio-fuel technology

Brazil will pour 6.1 billion Reais (2.85 billion dollar) to fund renewable-power and bio-fuel technology research, accelerating its efforts to modernize its energy industry and shift away from a commodity-export based economy.
Tuesday, June 4th 2013 - 05:01 UTC
How will Cristina Fernandez react the day after, next October, faced with defeat?

Former Argentine president Eduardo Duhalde expressed concern over the results of the coming mid-term elections next October fearing the reaction of President Cristina Fernandez if she loses the congressional majority.
Tuesday, June 4th 2013 - 04:56 UTC
Brazil shields borders with state of the art scanners and drones, ahead of major global events

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff announced this week plans to strengthen the fight against cross-border organized crime by equipping state and local governments with high-tech scanners and surveillance equipment.
Monday, June 3rd 2013 - 18:04 UTC
Uruguay’s president cancels last leg of European tour on medical advice

Uruguayan president Jose Mujica, 78, cancelled the last leg of his European visit, Italy, saying he was exhausted and suffering from jet-lag. He has been in the road since May 22, with a first official three-day visit to China, later to Spain, the Vatican and to Galicia and the Basque country, from where his family came.
Monday, June 3rd 2013 - 17:47 UTC
Uruguay is Latinamerica’s most gay-friendly country and ranks tenth worldwide

Uruguay was deemed the friendliest toward gay in Latinamerica and among the top countries in the world, according to the latest Spartacus International Gay Travel Index which ranks 139 countries worldwide.
Monday, June 3rd 2013 - 17:43 UTC
Millions turn out in Sao Paulo in support of Gay Pride Parade

Millions gathered on Sunday in Sao Paulo, Brazil to take part in one of the largest parades in the world. According to the organizers, 3.5 million people attended the parade and the festivities that followed.
Monday, June 3rd 2013 - 07:15 UTC
Francis and Mujica full of praise for each other share 45 minutes in the Vatican

“The Pope is very pleased for having met with a wise man”, was the official report from the Holy See following the 45 minute private audience of Francis with Uruguayan president Jose Mujica, the longest so far with a head of state. Although Mujica is a declared atheist and did not attend the inauguration of the first Latinamerican pope last March, he did request an interview with Francis, which took place on Saturday.