Stories for August 2014

Tuesday, August 12th 2014 - 05:44 UTC
Brazilian government anticipates 6% hike in fuel prices, after October election

Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff admitted on Monday the government could increase domestic fuel prices at refineries by up to 6% after the October presidential election. The increase of 5.5% and 6% is a preliminary calculation and is geared to help prop the finances of the government managed oil and gas giant Petrobras.
Monday, August 11th 2014 - 22:56 UTC
Falkland Islands and the saga of Sir Ernest Shackleton a century ago

One hundred years ago this month Sir Ernest Shackleton set sail from Plymouth on HMS Endurance at the beginning of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1914-17), also known as the Endurance Expedition.
Monday, August 11th 2014 - 22:30 UTC
Quito, leading destination of South America, at World Travel Awards

Ecuador's capital, Quito, was named “South America's Leading Destination” for the second year in a row at the 21st regional World Travel Awards gala, considered the Oscars of the tourism industry.
Monday, August 11th 2014 - 22:24 UTC
Global economic recovery remains 'disappointing' says Fed's Vice Chairman

US Federal Reserve Board Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer said that the economic recovery has been and remains “disappointing” and made it clear that he expects monetary policy to continue to play a significant role in encouraging growth in the future.
Monday, August 11th 2014 - 22:19 UTC
Leading economies showing overall steady growth trend, says OECD

Leading economies are showing a steady growth trend overall, although Britain is doing particularly well and Japan and Germany are showing signs of losing pace, the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) said on Monday.
Monday, August 11th 2014 - 09:46 UTC
Brazil's Truth Commission looking into foreign companies helping the military regime crackdown on 'subversives'

Newly-discovered documents suggest big international companies aided Brazil’s military regime in its war against ‘subversives’ and union activists. Academics and human rights activists have long believed that local and multinational companies helped Brazil’s military regime in their crackdown on “subversives.”
Monday, August 11th 2014 - 09:40 UTC
FAO July Food Price Index at its lowest level since January 2014

The FAO Food Price Index averaged 203.9 points in July 2014, down 4.4 points (2.1 percent) from a revised value in June and 3.5 points (1.7 percent) below July 2013. While meat prices rose for the fifth consecutive month and sugar remained firm, sharp declines in grains, oilseeds and dairy quotations pushed down the FAO Food Price Index to its lowest level since January 2014.
Monday, August 11th 2014 - 08:11 UTC
Brazil oil output at record 2.246m bpd in June: 6.9% higher over a year ago

Brazilian oil output reached a record 2.246 million barrels per day (bpd) in June and exceeded the previous record of 2.231 million bpd in January 2012, the National Agency of Petroleum (ANP) reported. Output is up 2.6% from May 2014 and 6.9% June on June.
Monday, August 11th 2014 - 08:06 UTC
Brazil's July inflation surprises and slows to 0.01%, and 6.5% in twelve months

Brazil's Broad Consumer Price Index (IPCA) ended July at 0.01%, the Brazilian Geography and Statistics Institute (IBGE) reported. This figure reflects a decrease compared to June (0.4%) with transport and personal expenses items, contributing for the reduction.
Monday, August 11th 2014 - 07:55 UTC
Blatter challenges his critics to take the risk and stand for FIFA election

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has challenged his critics to “take the risk” and stand for election against him next year. Although he did not identify potential rivals in the ballot scheduled in May, he appeared to target UEFA President Michel Platini.