Stories for December 2014

Tuesday, December 9th 2014 - 23:03 UTC
Mercosur lacks discipline and has become a 'straitjacket' for trade negotiations

Mercosur must discipline and return to its origin as a customs union since it has become a 'straitjacket' for negotiations with other regional blocks, according to Lia Valls, foreign trade coordinator at the Brazilian Economics Institute belonging to the prestigious thinktank Getulio Vargas foundation.
Tuesday, December 9th 2014 - 08:52 UTC
“Kicillof's economy post still too big for him, but he has changed a lot in a year”

The head of the Argentina's powerful manufacturing lobby, UIA, Hector Mendez fired harsh words against Economy Minister Axel Kicillof stressing “his post is still too big for him”, but admitted he 'has advanced' in the last twelve months.
Tuesday, December 9th 2014 - 08:26 UTC
The man in charge of fighting corruption in Brazil resigns: “I've done my duty”

Comptroller General Jorge Hage, the man in charge of fighting corruption in the Brazilian government, announced his resignation amid a widening graft scandal centered on state-run oil company Petrobras. Hage said he sent President Dilma Rousseff his resignation letter a few weeks ago, after she won re-election for a second term in office.
Tuesday, December 9th 2014 - 07:52 UTC
Wealth redistribution and inequality at its highest in OECD countries

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has found that the divide between the richest 10 percent and poorest 10 percent in many of the world's wealthiest countries - including Germany, US and UK - has been growing. In a report released Monday, OECD said that this, in turn, had caused growth to slow.
Tuesday, December 9th 2014 - 07:44 UTC
'Guantanamo inmates will be out in Montevideo streets after medical checkups'

“Once the medical checkups are over they'll be out of the Military Hospital and walking in the streets of Montevideo as any other refugee or immigrant” said Uruguayan Defense minister Eleuterio Fernadez Huidobro on Monday in reference to the Guantanamo inmates that arrived on Sunday morning.
Tuesday, December 9th 2014 - 07:38 UTC
World's main oilfield services provider drastically reducing size of marine seismic fleet

Schlumberger Ltd, the world's No.1 oilfield services provider, said it was reducing the size of its marine seismic fleet to lower costs as it expects customers to cut exploration spending.
Tuesday, December 9th 2014 - 07:18 UTC
Chile plans to build a new icebreaker and has earmarked an initial 150 million

Chile is planning a strong expansion of its Antarctic and maritime support vessels as well as a major repair yard, according to a recent pledge by President Michelle Bachelet during the opening of the Exponaval and Trans-Port exhibitions in Valparaiso and Viña del Mar.
Monday, December 8th 2014 - 23:46 UTC
Reconciliation and commemoration: 100 years after the Battle of the Falklands German flags fly over Stanley

“With substantial losses at both the Battle of Coronel and the Battle of the Falklands, the annual remembrance events are an opportunity to reflect on the lives lost from both the British and German navies. It was decided early on that this commemorative approach, highlighting the tragic loss of life during both battles, should be echoed throughout events on this Centenary year”
Monday, December 8th 2014 - 23:25 UTC
Commemoration Service for Battles of Coronel and the Falklands at London's St Martin-in-the-Fields

The first two significant naval battles of the First World War were commemorated in London and the Falklands in parallel church services on the 8th December – a hundred years after these momentous events took place.
Monday, December 8th 2014 - 11:12 UTC
Dilma Rousseff after quick transition in Finance given the fiscal deterioration

Brazil's new economic team headed by Joaquim Levy is expected to take office sometime in the next few days after the ruling coalition of President Dilma Rousseff finally managed Congress to approve a loosening of this year's budget targets including the crucial primary budget.