Stories for December 2013

Thursday, December 26th 2013 - 07:51 UTC
The Economist’s country of the year: Uruguay

Human life isn’t all bad, but it sometimes feels that way. Good news is no news: the headlines mostly tell of strife and bail-outs, failure and folly.
Thursday, December 26th 2013 - 07:43 UTC
Trickle-down economics in one of South America’s poorest countries, Paraguay

The Economist has dedicated an article to the recently inaugurated Paraguayan president Horacio Cartes, and his attempts to improve the living conditions of the majority of a population which is poor in a country rich in agriculture and energy.
Thursday, December 26th 2013 - 07:37 UTC
FIFA calls on Brazil to work flat-out in the months ahead of World Cup June 12 kick-off

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke says there is a huge amount still to do in preparations for the World Cup. In his end-of-year statement on FIFA.com, the Frenchman urges Brazil 2014 organizers to work flat out in the months before the June 12 kick-off in Sao Paulo to deliver on their promises.
Thursday, December 26th 2013 - 07:31 UTC
Gazprom confirms in has started production at Prirazlomnoye field on the Arctic shelf

Gazprom has started producing oil from the Prirazlomnoye field, which is the first Russian project for developing the Arctic shelf and the commencement of their large-scale activities aimed at creating a large hydrocarbon production center in the region, according to the company.
Thursday, December 26th 2013 - 06:00 UTC
UK sponsored 'innovation vouchers' for Chilean small and medium sized enterprises

Fifteen “innovation vouchers” were awarded to Chilean (Small and medium enterprises), SMEs who will now begin working with project teams from the Universidad Católica, Universidad de Desarrollo and Universidad de Santiago to improve their company’s products and services.
Thursday, December 26th 2013 - 05:52 UTC
US economy picking up strength according to third quarter data

The United States economy grew at a surprisingly robust 4.1% annual pace in the third quarter according to the Commerce Department, which was the strongest advance in nearly two years and only the third time the economy had expanded that quickly from one quarter to the next since 2006.
Thursday, December 26th 2013 - 05:43 UTC
Falklands offshore exploration drilling agenda for Rockhopper

Rockhopper Exploration has issued details of its next planned exploration wells offshore the Falkland Islands. The details were published on the Offshore site 23 December. Rockhopper was the first of several companies operating in Falklands waters to confirm the existence of oil and gas.
Wednesday, December 25th 2013 - 22:03 UTC
Three icebreakers to the rescue of Antarctica trapped Russia's 'Akademic Shokalskiy'

Seventy four people spent Christmas aboard a cruise ship that has become stuck in the ice in a remote region off the coast of Antarctica and rescue vessels are at least two days away, according to Australian maritime officials. Three icebreakers are sailing to the rescue.
Tuesday, December 24th 2013 - 06:36 UTC
Merry Christmas from MercoPress

MercoPress wishes a Happy Holiday season to all its readers.
Monday, December 23rd 2013 - 13:27 UTC
Argentina successfully launches rocket; “program to recover defense capabilities”

Argentina successfully launched a research rocket as part of its space program, the Defense Ministry said on Friday. The launch took place on Wednesday from Chamical, in La Rioja province, 880 km northwest of the capital.