By Robert Taylor (*) - It’s 32 years since Argentina’s brief occupation of the Falklands ended in humiliation. But, if anything, her desire to swallow up the Islands is stronger than ever. Oil is a big factor, of course, but even more fundamental is the passionate (if unjustifiable) belief that the British stole the Falklands in 1833 in an act of old-fashioned colonialism – a perceived wrong that successive Argentine governments seem determined to right.
The Falkland Islands inflation for the last quarter rose by 0.03% with an annual increase of 0.6% it was announced at this week’s Standing Finance Committee, reports the Penguin News.
Argentina’s balance of trade in January unveiled a small surplus of 35 million dollars, which represents a decrease of 88% comparing the same period in 2013. According to the government stats office, Indec, exports reached 5,3 billion dollars, a retraction of 8%, compared to the same month last year, while imports hit 5.1 billion, a downfall equal 4%, compared to January 2013.
The Argentine economy expanded 4.9% last year according to the official stats office Indec 'monthly economic growth indicator', EMAE, which is usually a good anticipation of the final figures. If confirmed Argentina will have grown uninterruptedly since the 2002 crisis, when the major default and melting of the economy.
Spanish oil major Repsol said Friday that, as part of a preliminary compensation deal struck last year with the Argentine government for the seizure of its former unit, YPF, it will take a charge of 1.28 billion Euros (1.76 billion dollars) on its 2013 earnings.
Pope Francis received Friday in a private audience Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, who formally invited the Argentine pontiff to visit her country during the World Cup soccer championship, which begins June 12.
Uruguayan president Jose Mujica is scheduled to attend a reception on Saturday at Argentina's tall ship Libertad, which together with several similar vessels is participating in the '2014 Latin American Sails' tour of thirteen Latin American and Caribbean ports, and on Friday arrived to Punta del Este.
Barcelona have been charged by a Spanish court with committing tax fraud in the signing of Brazil forward Neymar last year in the latest twist to a saga that has already claimed the scalp of the club president.
Uruguay's GDP this year is expected to expand by 3%, below the original estimate of 4%, according to Economy minister Mario Bergara currently in the United States on a tour to promote investments in the country and who was interviewed by Bloomberg.
Several research vessels coincided in South Georgia Island during the month of January plus HMS Protector involved in extensive surveying of South Sandwich Island for the UK Hydrographic Office, reports the latest edition of the South Georgia newsletter.