Stories for April 2014

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”.
Friday, April 4th 2014 - 02:15 UTC
Queen and Pope talked of the “shared roots of Christian faith”, says Vatican radio

The head of the Anglican Church Queen Elizabeth II met Pope Francis on Thursday for the first time during a one-day visit to the Italian capital, Rome. The meeting in the Vatican was described as a private one and pomp and protocol were kept to a minimum. Earlier, the Queen and Prince Philip had lunch with the Italian President, Giorgio Napolitano, and his wife Clio at the Quirinal Palace.
Thursday, April 3rd 2014 - 07:36 UTC
Queen Elizabeth II meets the Pope at private audience in the Vatican

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II will meet with Pope Francis at a private audience in the Vatican on Thursday afternoon. The Queen, who’ll be accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, will also have a private encounter with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano during the one day visit to Rome.
Thursday, April 3rd 2014 - 07:32 UTC
Former president Menem back on trial for the controversial sale of Palermo show land

Former Argentine president Carlos Menem and his former economy minister Domingo Cavallo were both formally indicted for embezzlement over the sale of the Rural Society property in the Buenos Aires high income Palermo neighborhood in 1991 at a price the court yesterday described as “vile.”
Thursday, April 3rd 2014 - 07:25 UTC
Argentina's YPF sells one billion dollars in 10-year bonds at 8.75% rate

Argentina’s nationalized oil and gas producer, YPF, sold 1 billion dollars in a bond sale on Tuesday, the company said in a statement. The 10-year bonds will pay 8.75% interest and were five times oversubscribed, YPF said. The U.S. dollar-denominated securities were issued under Argentine law and was considered a great success by the company.