Stories for February 24th 2014

Monday, February 24th 2014 - 22:28 UTC
Brazil and EU agree to lay an undersea cable to avoid US internet surveillance

Brazil and the European Union agreed on Monday to lay an undersea communications cable from Lisbon to Fortaleza to reduce Brazil's reliance on the United States after Washington spied on Brasilia.
Monday, February 24th 2014 - 22:19 UTC
Rousseff and Barroso optimistic about Mercosur/EU trade talks scheduled to begin 21 March

Trade negotiations between the European Union and Mercosur could move quickly once a technical meeting next month has taken place, EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said after a meeting on Monday with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff in Brussels and the European Council president Herman Van Rompuy.
Monday, February 24th 2014 - 06:49 UTC
Magallanes the fastest and strongest growing region of Chile last year

Magallanes, in the extreme south of Chile plus Aysén and Tarapacá are the regions which registered the best performance in 2013 according to the country's indicator of regional economic activity, Inacer, which is released by the country's Stats Office, INE.
Monday, February 24th 2014 - 06:45 UTC
Italy experiments with a new prime minister and 16-member cabinet

Center-left leader Matteo Renzi took office on Saturday as Italy's youngest prime minister, facing pressure to show immediate results after he forced out his predecessor over the slow pace of economic reforms.
Monday, February 24th 2014 - 06:42 UTC
Sao Paulo protest against World Cup and demand more hospitals and schools

Brazilian police used tear gas and made an estimated 230 arrests on Saturday evening to disperse a protest in Sao Paulo ahead of the World Cup. Among those arrested in Brazil's business hub, which will host the opening match of the World Cup on June 12, were five journalists, O Estado de Sao Paulo daily reported.
Monday, February 24th 2014 - 06:40 UTC
World top economies pledge 2% growth in next five years and millions of jobs

The world's top economies have embraced a goal of generating more than 2 trillion dollars in additional output over five years while creating tens of millions of new jobs, while also promising more transparency in monetary policy to allay the concerns of emerging economies.
Monday, February 24th 2014 - 05:14 UTC
Rousseff consolidates as favorite to win re-election in October

Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff remains the favorite to win re-election in October with a comfortable lead over possible contenders, according to a poll published Sunday. The Datafolha polling institute said Rousseff has recovered much of the support she had lost in the wake of mass street protests in the middle of last year.
Monday, February 24th 2014 - 05:00 UTC
Insulza suggests 'outside players' could help reach an agreement in Venezuela

Organization of American States, OAS, Jose Miguel Insulza has suggested the participation of 'outside players' in Venezuela to try and lower the pressure and consequences of the current situation in the country. Insulza made the suggestion in a letter published by several newspapers from the region, but underlining that it is Venezuelans that must reach an understanding to overcome the situation.
Monday, February 24th 2014 - 04:49 UTC
Venezuelan situation could delay the Mercosur summit scheduled for March

The Mercosur summit is still scheduled for March but given the current situation in Venezuela, host of the event, “there could be another delay” admitted Paraguay's Foreign minister Eladio Loizaga, who added that there are permanent contacts between members countries to try and avoid another scenario.