Stories for May 2014

Friday, May 23rd 2014 - 22:25 UTC
Dominican Republic tourism industry success story: 4.7 million tourists in 2013

The Dominican Republic’s 2013 visitor numbers grew by 3.6% over the previous year, outpacing the entire Caribbean region, which recorded growth in tourism of only 1%. Tourism minister Francisco Javier Garcia described it as “an extraordinary year.”
Friday, May 23rd 2014 - 11:52 UTC
Santos-Uribe rivalry has turned the presidential campaign into a mudslinging contest

Accusations of bribes from drug traffickers, spying and email hacking have turned Colombia’s presidential election into an ugly slugfest that has further polarized a country trying to emerge from its violent past.
Friday, May 23rd 2014 - 11:39 UTC
“Soccer one of the strongest cultural links between Argentina and UK”

A roundtable on soccer organized by the Argentine Embassy in London in the wake of World Cup, Argentina Ambassador, Alicia Castro, highlighted the “cultural links between Argentine and British people” and said “soccer is one of the strongest”.
Friday, May 23rd 2014 - 11:26 UTC
Legalizing abortion debate takes off in socially conservative Chile

Chile, one of a handful of the world's countries that outlaws abortion in all cases, will debate a bill this year that seeks to relax the ban in certain circumstances, a government spokesman announced. President Michelle Bachelet who was re-elected and took office in March had pledged a change in the law ahead of her election.
Friday, May 23rd 2014 - 11:06 UTC
Falklands reaffirms right to self-determination on UN charter and documents going back to 1960

The Falklands Islands reaffirmed its right to self determination supported by the UN charter and different resolutions going back to 1960, and at the same time accused Argentina of doing its utmost to damage the Islands economy.
Friday, May 23rd 2014 - 10:50 UTC
Protesting McDonald's workers arrested in Chicago; labor pay debate beginning to brew in US

More than 100 demonstrators seeking better pay for McDonald's workers were arrested on Thursday as protesters swarmed the fast-food chain's corporate campus near Chicago demanding a minimum wage of 15 dollars an hour and the right to unionize.
Friday, May 23rd 2014 - 10:45 UTC
YPF discovers shale in Chubut province, 1.000 km southeast of Vaca Muerta

At least 15 more shale oil and gas wells will be drilled in Argentina's Patagonia Chubut province over the next three years, a provincial official said on Thursday, a day after its first shale discovery was made public.
Friday, May 23rd 2014 - 10:36 UTC
European lawmakers warn about the impact of a EU/Mercosur accord

European Parliament lawmakers Marian Harkin and Pat The Cope Gallagher have issued strong warnings of soundings coming from Europe of a potential Mercosur trade deal, particularly European Commission President Barroso intention of having the agreement signed before he steps down from office.
Friday, May 23rd 2014 - 10:28 UTC
Vatican claims letter addressed to President Cristina Fernandez is fake

One of the Pope's closest collaborator, Argentine Monsignor Guillermo Karcher has affirmed that the alleged letter from Pope Francis to President Cristina Fernández revealed earlier on Thursday by the government is a fake.
Friday, May 23rd 2014 - 10:17 UTC
IMF to check Argentine new stats on inflation and GDP next month

The International Monetary Fund board has already received a first analytical report on Argentina latest statistics and will address the issue in its next meeting scheduled for 6 June, according to IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice in Washington.