Stories for August 2013

Wednesday, August 21st 2013 - 18:39 UTC
Sharp decline of oil and gas from off-shore UK is ‘worrying’ says annual report

The sharp decline in production of oil and gas from under British waters is “worrying” industry leaders. Trade body Oil and Gas UK says there is record investment this year of £13.5bn, but its annual report on the industry's economic impact highlights the sharp fall in output of 19% during 2011 and 14% in 2012.
Wednesday, August 21st 2013 - 18:36 UTC
Controversy with FIFA over hotel prices for the 2014 World Cup

The Brazilian government has expressed concern that some hotels listed on FIFA website for the 2014 World Cup plan significant price increases during the tournament. Brazil’s tourism board, Embratur, is said to have notified the justice ministry after its research showed that rates will be up to 500% more expensive during the World Cup in some hotels offered by the MATCH Services agency on FIFA website.
Wednesday, August 21st 2013 - 18:31 UTC
Argentina media law dispute between Cristina Fernandez and Clarin reaches UK newsstands

The conflict between the administration of President Cristina Fernandez and the powerful Clarín media Group CEO Héctor Magnetto crossed the Atlantic and reached UK newsstands as British daily The Guardian published an article on Argentina’s Media Law.
Wednesday, August 21st 2013 - 18:28 UTC
Manning sentenced to 35 years for providing Wikileaks with 700.000 classified files

Bradley Manning, the US soldier convicted of the biggest breach of classified data in the nation's history by providing files to WikiLeaks, was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Judge Colonel Denise Lind, who last month found Manning guilty of 20 charges including espionage and theft, could have sentenced him to as many as 90 years in prison. Prosecutors had asked for 60 years.
Wednesday, August 21st 2013 - 18:26 UTC
Al-Jazeera despite ‘aggressive hostility’ launches TV news-channel in United States

Al Jazeera is launching a new TV news channel in the United States. The network will be available in almost 48 million US households, offering 14 hours of news each day. Al Jazeera replaces Current TV, the cable television network founded by former US Vice President Al Gore, which the Qatar-owned broadcaster acquired in January 2013 for around 500m dollars.
Wednesday, August 21st 2013 - 01:35 UTC
Uruguay Vice-president concerned Royal Bank of Canada is leaving the country

Vice-president Danilo Astori said he was surprised at the way events unfolded ending with the decision from the Royal Bank of Canada of leaving Uruguay, but also concerned about the international impact of such a move, triggered by a ‘disorderly’ raid in its offices.
Wednesday, August 21st 2013 - 00:23 UTC
“Devaluation of the Argentine Peso is a fact of the market”, says Lavagna

Former minister and ex-presidential hopeful Roberto Lavagna warned that the Argentine economy is going through “the worst scenario possible” since the market has already adapted to the devaluation of the Peso, but the government of President Cristina Fernandez in its fantasy refuses to acknowledge it.
Wednesday, August 21st 2013 - 00:15 UTC
Slow Chinese demand hits mining giants’ profits; not much change expected in short term

Newly-formed mining giant Glencore Xstrata has written down the value of Xstrata's assets by 7.7bn dollars and reported a drop in revenues. The firm, which was created in May, said the write-down reflected tougher conditions in the mining sector.
Tuesday, August 20th 2013 - 23:56 UTC
Over a million World Cup ticket requests on opening day: most from Brazil and Argentina

Over one million World Cup finals ticket requests were made within the first seven hours of public sale, soccer's world governing body FIFA said on Tuesday. Most demand for tickets came from Brazil, Argentina, United States, Chile and England.
Tuesday, August 20th 2013 - 23:35 UTC
The sliding Brazilian currency has depreciated 18% in the last twelve months

The Brazilian currency Real, which is the region’s reference, is undergoing one of its major depreciations against the US dollar in the last four years because of the poor performance of its economy and the tendency is to continue, at least in the short term, given the uncertainty about US monetary policy.