Stories for April 4th 2014

Friday, April 4th 2014 - 07:53 UTC
Latam leaders discuss improving education and skills to help diversity economy

Political, business and academic leaders gathered for the ninth annual World Economic Forum in Latin America in Panama set out strategies for the region to move beyond dependence on commodity exports and face the challenges of a rapidly changing global economy.
Friday, April 4th 2014 - 07:48 UTC
FAO food price index in March climbs to its highest since May 2013

The FAO Food Price Index rose sharply in March, up 4.8 points, or 2.3%, to an average of 212.8, the highest level since May 2013. The Index, based on the prices of a basket of internationally-traded food commodities, saw prices increase in all groups except dairy, which fell for the first time in four months (-2.5%). Sugar, 7.9% and Cereals, 5.2% climbed the most.
Friday, April 4th 2014 - 07:41 UTC
White House targets methane emissions

By Nicholas Cunningham of Oilprice.com - On March 28, the White House released a multi-pronged strategy to reduce methane emissions from a variety of sources, a step the administration says is an outgrowth of the President's Climate Action Plan announced last year. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, about 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
Friday, April 4th 2014 - 07:35 UTC
Brazilian congress strikes down new taxes on the domestic soy market

Brazil's Congress struck down this week a proposal to impose new taxes on the internal soy market after fierce opposition from the country's agricultural sector. An amendment to apply a tax known as PIS/Cofins on soybean sales to some domestic buyers had been removed from a bill to simplify taxation of Brazilian companies abroad that was passed by the lower chamber late on Tuesday.
Friday, April 4th 2014 - 05:01 UTC
Chile assesses extent of earthquake damage; police and military ensure order

Coastal residents of Chile’s far north spent a second sleepless night outside their homes as major aftershocks continued Thursday following a magnitude-8.2 earthquake that damaged several thousand homes and caused six deaths. But no new major damage or casualties were reported, and a heavy police and military presence kept order.
Friday, April 4th 2014 - 04:35 UTC
Uruguayan government feels it can tame inflation based on March's index

Inflation in Uruguay during March reached 0.58% accumulating 4.74% in the first quarter and 9.73% in the last twelve months, which is seen as 'positive' and an indication that recent measures to contain prices are 'being successful', according to Economy minister Mario Bergara.
Friday, April 4th 2014 - 04:26 UTC
Brazil manufacturing activity expands for the fourth straight month in March

Brazil's manufacturing activity expanded for the fourth straight month in March, though at a meager pace as growth in new orders cooled, a private survey showed. The HSBC Purchasing Managers' Index for the Brazilian manufacturing sector rose to a seasonally adjusted 50.6 in March from 50.4 in February. The 50 mark separates contraction from expansion.
Friday, April 4th 2014 - 04:20 UTC
FIFA confirms Uruguay will be in the World Cup despite domestic football problems

Uruguay's Football Association (AUF) has been suspended by South American soccer body CONMEBOL, a move the AUF said did not affect the national team's participation at the World Cup. The announcement Uruguay would be in Brazil was confirmed by statements from FIFA president Joseph Blatter from Costa Rica.
Friday, April 4th 2014 - 03:05 UTC
US Falklands' policy 'disappointing' but, one of many issues of US/UK special relationship

The United States failure to recognize the right of the Falkland Islands to national self-determination is “disappointing”, reads a British House of Commons inquiry into the health of the so-called special relationship between the UK and the US. The report was released a day after the 32nd anniversary of the Argentine invasion of the South Atlantic islands (2 April 1982) and highlights London's frustration on the issue.
Friday, April 4th 2014 - 02:41 UTC
“Falklands nuclear missiles turned out to be penguins”

Falkland Islanders replied with a picture of King penguins to Argentine President Cristina Fernandez claims that the Falklands had become NATO's largest base in the South Atlantic and was equipped with missiles that could reach any of the region's countries, and also had “nuclear weapons”.