Stories for May 2014

Friday, May 2nd 2014 - 08:51 UTC
South Georgia re-adjusts license conditions to reduce sea birds by-catches

One of the most significant seabird by-catches in over a decade occurred in the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) Marine Zone last week, by the Chilean longliner Antarctic Bay.
Friday, May 2nd 2014 - 08:42 UTC
If EU dumps independent Scotland, 12 countries would be barred from its fishing waters

Scottish First Minister warned that 12 countries could be barred from his country’s waters and would not even be allowed to pass through to reach Norwegian waters if an independent Scotland was refused European Union (EU) membership.
Friday, May 2nd 2014 - 08:37 UTC
Labor Day with raft of increases in Argentina: train fares, gasoline, cigarettes and air tickets

Despite Labor Day to honor workers, May begins with bad news for Argentine consumers: fare increases for trains and domestic flights tickets and rises on cigarettes and gasoline prices ranging from 4% to 100% in the case of train tariffs.
Friday, May 2nd 2014 - 08:28 UTC
Majority of Uruguayans rate Argentina as 'the less friendly country', says poll

A clear majority of Uruguayans, 61% believe Argentina is the “less friendly” country, according to a March 13/23 public opinion poll, with 1.013 interviews in Montevideo and the main urban locations in the rest of the country.
Thursday, May 1st 2014 - 10:10 UTC
Amnesty International accuses Spain of repressive legislation and heavy hand with protestors

The Spanish government is using the full force of the law to suffocate legitimate peaceful protest, Amnesty International in Spain has said. Jezerca Tigani, Europe and Central Asia Deputy Program Director for Amnesty, published a brief report last week in which he said that the excessive use of force by Spanish police and plans to strengthen repressive legislation are a damning indictment of the Spanish government’s determination to crush peaceful protest.
Thursday, May 1st 2014 - 09:52 UTC
EU fishing fleet: balance between capacity and fishing opportunities still distant

The European Commission's annual report on the European fishing fleet shows some progress towards achieving a balance between capacity and available fishing opportunities. However more remains to be done to ensure that stocks are managed in accordance with the objective of Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) and the Commission considers that there is still a need for active fleet capacity adjustment measures by Member States in order to achieve this.
Thursday, May 1st 2014 - 07:43 UTC
OAS electoral observers arrive in Panama ahead of Sunday's ballot

The OAS Electoral Observation Mission has arrived in Panama, led by former Peruvian Congresswoman and presidential candidate Lourdes Flores Nano, for the final deployment of the 56 international experts and observers ahead of Sunday's general elections.
Thursday, May 1st 2014 - 07:33 UTC
Brazil raises taxes on beer and sodas; primary surplus slightly down in March

The Brazilian government will raise taxes on beers, sodas and other beverages in a move that will raise an extra 1.5 billion Reais (674 million dollars) in revenue to help meet the fiscal savings goal. Earlier this month, the government had already announced a tax hike on beer to bolster fiscal accounts that have been hit hard over the last three years by rising subsidies, higher spending and an economic slowdown.
Thursday, May 1st 2014 - 07:22 UTC
Brazil: Protestors demanding housing block main access routes and camp outside City Council

A demonstration supporting access to low-cost housing on Wednesday blocked several stretches of the Marginal Tiete, one of the main access routes to Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city and financial capital.
Thursday, May 1st 2014 - 07:08 UTC
Rousseff bids for re-election and announces benefits for her electoral base

President Dilma Rousseff said on Wednesday she will seek re-election in October, even though some are calling for the return of her popular predecessor president Lula da Silva. Rousseff, who belongs to Lula's Workers Party and was his protegée, said she hoped to have the support of all the parties allied with her government.