Stories for January 2014

Saturday, January 4th 2014 - 04:38 UTC
Mantega releases crucial data to calm market anxiety about Brazil's accounts

Brazil's Finance Minister Guido Mantega insisted on Friday that the government is keeping spending under control as he sought to calm anxiety about the deterioration of the government's accounts. The minister said the primary budget surplus, (excess of revenue over expenditure before debt payments) would be above the goal of 73 billion Brazilian Reais for 2013 (30.5bn dollars), equivalent to about 1.5% of gross domestic product.
Friday, January 3rd 2014 - 23:41 UTC
Malvinas: Argentina calls UK a lion that 'no longer frightens' and insists on dialogue

In a long statement recalling the 181st anniversary of the 'usurpation of our Malvinas, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands and the adjoining maritime spaces' (almost three million square kilometers) the Argentine Foreign ministry contrasts Buenos Aires peaceful, dialogue attitude with the verbal aggressiveness from British officials when referring to the Malvinas issue.
Friday, January 3rd 2014 - 23:34 UTC
Cristina Fernandez administration launches yet another price control program

Argentina's government formally launched on Friday its latest price control program as double-digit inflation sets the stage for tense annual wage talks in coming months. The one-year program sets prices on 194 supermarket items including staples like milk, meat and pasta as well as discretionary items such as beer and ice cream.
Friday, January 3rd 2014 - 23:25 UTC
UK prepared to veto Spain's entry to the EC over Gibraltar restrictions in 1984/85

British officials thought Spain could “not be trusted” to keep its promises to lift restrictions on Gibraltar prior to joining the European Community, according to declassified documents released to The National Archives.
Friday, January 3rd 2014 - 23:21 UTC
Brazil wants no surprises: creates elite force to support police during the World Cup

Brazil has created a special riot force to help police control demonstrations expected during the World Cup later this year. Colonel Alexandre Augusto Aragon, who heads the elite National Security Force, was quoted in local news on Friday as saying that 10,000 riot troops selected from state police forces throughout Brazil will be deployed in the 12 cities hosting World Cup games June 12-July 13.
Friday, January 3rd 2014 - 23:15 UTC
Brazil posted its worst trade surplus since 2.000 at 2.56bn dollars

Brazil posted its lowest trade surplus in 13 years on Thursday, at 2.56 billion dollars for 2013, the trade and commerce ministry said, citing rising imports. The country's foreign trade association AEB had previously warned that 2013 could see the first full-year trade deficit since 2000, which compares with a 19,4bn dollars surplus in 2012
Friday, January 3rd 2014 - 23:12 UTC
Brazil oil and gas production in November averaged 2.578 million boepd

Brazil's oil and natural gas output rose 2.87% in November compared with the same month a year earlier as new oil fields came on line and platforms under maintenance returned to operation, Brazil's oil regulator, the ANP, said on Friday.
Friday, January 3rd 2014 - 23:05 UTC
Spain steps in to try to resolve cost dispute over Panama Canal expansion

Spain stepped in on Friday to try to resolve a cost dispute over the expansion of Panama's canal, which has triggered a sell-off in the shares of Sacyr SA, the Spanish builder leading the project. Spain's Public Works minister, Ana Pastor, and Sacyr Chairman Manuel Manrique are due to travel to Panama on the weekend, Panama's president, Ricardo Martinelli, said.
Friday, January 3rd 2014 - 18:52 UTC
Record exports in dollars for Uruguay in 2013, but prospects not so encouraging

Uruguayan exports in 2013 increased 4.8% in value and reached a record 9,155 billion dollars with soybean the main item and China the leading trade partner. The data was released by the government export promotion organization Uruguay XXI, which sometimes is over optimistic.
Friday, January 3rd 2014 - 18:40 UTC
'Andean super crop' quinoa opens the way for the UN Year of Family Farming

Increased production and consumption of quinoa, coupled with higher visibility of and greater scientific knowledge about the so-called “Andean super crop” is the legacy left to the world by the International Year of Quinoa 2013, the closing ceremonies of which were held in Bolivia and Peru.