Stories for 2013

Monday, April 8th 2013 - 00:22 UTC
Brazil new defence purchases policy based on ‘geopolitical interests and technology transfer’

Brazil’s defence purchases mainly arms will be ruled by strategic priorities such as geopolitical interests and technology transfers and not only price, according to a decree published in the Official Gazette from the Union.
Monday, April 8th 2013 - 00:04 UTC
Brazil exporters anticipate May/June port chaos with soy, sugar and corn crops coincide

The logistics chaos in the Brazilian port of Santos (one of the busiest of the country) in mid March with the first shipments of a record soy crop will become even worse in May and June, according to the Jose Augusto de Castro, president of the Brazilian Association of Foreign Trade, AEB.
Sunday, April 7th 2013 - 23:58 UTC
Brazil planning agency to manage fluvial ports, waterways and locks

The administration of President Dilma Rousseff is working on the creation of a new agency which will be responsible for Brazil’s fluvial ports and terminals, waterways and locks. The ‘Hidrobras’ project is being drafted by the Ministries of Transport and Planning and will look after shipping in the fluvial system, “which is currently exploited far below its possibilities and potential”.
Saturday, April 6th 2013 - 04:14 UTC
“Nothing or nobody” can separate Argentina and Uruguay, Mujica tells the world

Despite Uruguayan President Jose Mujica had anticipated he would give no further explanations about his at least controversial remarks about Argentina’s presidencial couple, Cristina and Néstor Kirchner, the Uruguayan leader on Friday midday stated in his daily broadcast that “nothing or nobody” could separate the brotherly nations.
Saturday, April 6th 2013 - 04:02 UTC
S&P strong warning to UK on continuing negative outlook for the economy

Credit rating agency Standard & Poor's has reaffirmed its triple-A rating for the UK, but warned of the continuing negative outlook for the economy. S&P said it may downgrade the UK from the highest rating in the future if economic conditions worsened.
Saturday, April 6th 2013 - 03:55 UTC
Francis calls for “decisive action” in the fight against sex abuse of minors by priest

Pope Francis has called for “decisive action” in the fight against sex abuse of minors by priests. He told Bishop Gerhard Mueller, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith - the Vatican watchdog that deals with sex abuse cases - to ensure that perpetrators were punished.
Saturday, April 6th 2013 - 03:50 UTC
Brazil claims trade situation with Argentina is “less than satisfactory”

Brazil admitted that the trade situation with Argentina is “less than satisfactory”, given the ongoing barriers and restrictions imposed by Buenos Aires and revealed that the bilateral trade balance is now inclined in favour of its southern neighbour and Mercosur associate.
Saturday, April 6th 2013 - 03:44 UTC
Brazil hopeful an EU/Mercosur trade accord can be concluded this year

Brazilian Foreign minister Antonio Patriota said he was hopeful that the European Union and Mercosur could advance this year towards a trade agreement they have been negotiating so far unsuccessfully for almost fifteen years and also warned about the coming EU/US trade talks for a comprehensive accord.
Friday, April 5th 2013 - 21:38 UTC
US report shows more E.coli in urban waterways runoff areas than from animal production facilities

Studies by the United States Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist Mark Ibekwe suggest that in some parts of California, pathogens in local waterways are more often carried there via runoff from urban areas, not from animal production facilities
Friday, April 5th 2013 - 21:35 UTC
One in three adults in the Americas suffers from high blood pressure, says PAHO

At least one in three adults in the Americas has high blood pressure, or hypertension, the number-one risk factor cardiovascular disease and death throughout the world. Hypertension is believed to affect nearly 1 billion people worldwide.