Stories for October 2013

Monday, October 14th 2013 - 05:38 UTC
Brazil considers ‘absurd’ some of Mercosur limitations and points to Argentina

Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff said it was ‘absurd’ that in the context of Mercosur the free circulation of goods was non existent and expressed disappointment with Argentina’s obstacles, but nevertheless insisted dialogue was the only valid instrument to overcome trade differences.
Monday, October 14th 2013 - 05:35 UTC
Cristina Fernandez resting in Olivos; 30 days of strict recovery

Argentine President Cristina Fernández, 60, was discharged Sunday midday from the Buenos Aires Favaloro Foundation hospital where she underwent successful surgery on a ‘subdural chronic haematoma’ after being given the all-clear from doctors.
Monday, October 14th 2013 - 05:31 UTC
IMF warns US default means massive disruption and world recession

The head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, has warned that a US default could tip the world into recession. In a US TV interview she said a default would result in “massive disruption the world over”.
Monday, October 14th 2013 - 05:28 UTC
Colombia peace talks stalled; government concerned with slow pace of negotiation

The Colombian government and left-wing FARC rebels ended a 15th round of peace negotiations on Sunday trading accusations over responsibility for the slow pace of the talks and for the first time failing to issue a joint statement on their progress.
Monday, October 14th 2013 - 05:25 UTC
Catholic Church beatifies 522 priests and nuns killed by Republicans in the Spanish civil war

The Roman Catholic Church in Spain has beatified 522 people, most of them priests and nuns killed by Republicans during the Spanish Civil War. Thousands of people attended the outdoor event in Tarragona, presided over by a senior Vatican cardinal.
Monday, October 14th 2013 - 05:16 UTC
Rousseff reveals picture of infant Dilma and wishes to drive her own Harley Davidson

Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff is speeding up her re-election campaign trying to drop the ‘technocrat-no nonsense’ and ‘people distant’ attitudes which have been some of the main complaints about a nevertheless loveable leader.
Sunday, October 13th 2013 - 12:14 UTC
Bye, bye Mercosur: Brazil advances on its own in trade agreement with EU

Mercosur has many internal problems and therefore it is much easier to work with Brazil, said European Commission Vice-President for Industry and Entrepreneurship Antonio Tajani who spent this week two days of negotiations with top officials in Brasilia.
Sunday, October 13th 2013 - 12:09 UTC
China becomes world’ biggest net importer of oil displacing the US

$US is increasingly able to support itself after the growth of its domestic hydraulic fracturing, or fracking$

China has knocked the US from its top spot as the world's biggest net importer of oil, US government data shows. The country's fast-growing economy, as well as the rise in car sales, has led to its new status, according to September's data. Oil consumption in China had outstripped production by 6.3 million barrels a day, said the Energy Information Administration (EIA). In the US, the figure was 6.1 million.
Sunday, October 13th 2013 - 11:57 UTC
Venezuela arrests oil-exploration vessel in disputed waters with Guyana

Guyana says the Venezuelan navy has entered its territorial waters and detained a US-operated ship. The government said the Venezuelan actions in the disputed Essequibo region constituted “a serious threat to peace in the region”.
Sunday, October 13th 2013 - 11:51 UTC
Chilean presidential election is between “Michelle Bachelet and I” says Evelyn Matthei

Chilean presidential candidate for the ruling party Evelyn Matthei was the target of her competitors’ criticism during a televised debate in which she brushed aside hopefuls’ aspirations arguing that it was obvious that the race was between her and Michelle Bachelet, who did not participate.