Stories for October 23rd 2013

Wednesday, October 23rd 2013 - 21:21 UTC
Petrobras with sufficient funds to operate Libra; denies need of fuels price increase

Petrobras has sufficient funds on hand to pay its share of a hefty Brazilian government fee for operations at the Libra offshore “pre-salt” oil field and won't need to request a fuel-price increase to meet the obligation, the company's president Graca Foster said on Wednesday.
Wednesday, October 23rd 2013 - 20:55 UTC
BP to supply the bulk of Argentina's natural gas demand in 2014 and 2015

Argentina's state-run energy firm YPF has picked BP to supply the bulk of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) needs in 2014 and 2015 following a major recent tender, according to media sources in Buenos Aires. Energy short Argentina last month launched its annual tender to secure approximately 5.57 million tons of LNG over the 2014-2015 period to help cover its energy needs.
Wednesday, October 23rd 2013 - 20:51 UTC
Wheat shortage in Argentina has seen bread prices skyrocket; Buenos Aires ton price is double Chicago's

In the last few days the Argentine news media has been focusing on the fact that there does not seem to be enough wheat or corn to go around, which is driving prices higher and causing concern for the users of these grains. This is particularly true for bakeries which have been forced to charge soaring prices for bread.
Wednesday, October 23rd 2013 - 20:20 UTC
Four US super rich contributed 133 million dollars to the 2012 elections, says Wealth-X

As the United States Supreme Court considers whether to remove limits on individuals’ contributions to candidates, political parties and political action committees, Wealth-X released a list of the top five public political donors leading up to the 2012 elections and since then.
Wednesday, October 23rd 2013 - 16:40 UTC
German Catholics can only remain in the Church if they pay membership tax, rules court

Germany's Roman Catholics can only remain part of the Church if they pay a membership tax, a court has ruled. All Germans who are officially registered as Catholics, Protestants or Jews pay a religious tax, worth an extra 8-9% of their income tax bill.
Wednesday, October 23rd 2013 - 16:36 UTC
Most of Latam and US failed press freedoms report in 2013 says IAPA

The Inter American Press Association representing journalists from across the Americas condemned violations of press freedoms in both Latin America and the United States on Tuesday, including the killings of 14 journalists, the secret seizure of Associated Press phone records and a new censorship law in Ecuador.
Wednesday, October 23rd 2013 - 16:32 UTC
Bank of Spain estimates the country climbed out of recession in third quarter

Spain climbed out of recession in the third quarter, growing 0.1% from the previous three-month period to end a streak of nine consecutive quarters of contraction, the Bank of Spain estimated Wednesday in its latest economic bulletin.
Wednesday, October 23rd 2013 - 16:24 UTC
Argentine consumers expect Inflation in the next twelve months to average 31.3%

Expected inflation in Argentina for the next twelve months is on average 31.3% according to the monthly survey from the Torcuato Di Tella University, UTDT. However the monthly expectation dropped 1.6 percentage points compared to September in all regions of Argentina.
Wednesday, October 23rd 2013 - 16:22 UTC
Monsanto and its glyphosate weed-killer embroiled in controversy in Argentina

Monsanto Co. is calling for more controls on agrochemicals, including its Roundup line of glyphosate-based weed-killers, in response to an Associated Press report about concerns that illegal pesticide applications are harming human health in Argentina.
Wednesday, October 23rd 2013 - 04:01 UTC
Lady Cristina is out of combat but on Sunday's election could reap more than anticipated

With less than four days for Sunday’s midterm elections in Argentina, Buenos Aires province Governor Daniel Scioli called on “undecided” and independent voters to cast their ballot for President Cristina Fernandez Victory Front (FpV) top candidate Martín Insaurralde “in favor of the province and the country.”