Stories for 2015

Wednesday, May 6th 2015 - 07:16 UTC
Brazilian leading bank prepares ahead of the country's 'steepest recession in two decades'

Itaú Unibanco Holding SA, one of Brazil's strongest and leading banking groups is provisioning more for loan losses and curbing loan book growth in a bet that careful risk management will help the bank navigate the country's steepest recession in over two decades.
Wednesday, May 6th 2015 - 07:10 UTC
OAS deploys electoral observation mission for Guyana Sunday's election

The Organization of American States has started the deployment of the Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of American States to the general and regional elections scheduled iin Guyana for Sunday May 11. This is the fifth time the OAS has observed elections in Guyana, following Missions in 1997, 2001, 2006 and 2011.
Wednesday, May 6th 2015 - 07:04 UTC
Uruguay calls for an end to Mercosur 'hollow rhetoric' which undermines jobs

Uruguay's foreign minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa called on Mercosur to overcome “hollow rhetoric” and advance towards the elimination of barriers which restrict access to other markets and intra-region trade.
Wednesday, May 6th 2015 - 06:55 UTC
Pope Francis will receive Cuba's Raul Castro on private visit next Sunday

Pope Francis and Cuban President Raul Castro will meet privately on Sunday at the Vatican, a spokesman said, four months before the pontiff's trip to the Caribbean island, his first as leader of the Catholic Church.
Wednesday, May 6th 2015 - 06:42 UTC
Argentine S. Court ratifies Chief Justice; Cristina Fernandez wants to impeach a second Justice

In another chapter of the ongoing dispute between Argentine president Cristina Fernández and a non-submissive Judiciary, the country's Supreme Court issued a statement on Tuesday ratifying Ricardo Lorenzetti as Chief Justice for three more years starting in 2016, following versions that he was pushing to leave the SC on yet unclear “moral fatigue” grounds.
Wednesday, May 6th 2015 - 06:34 UTC
Despite devastating rains and floods Chile's economy grew 1.6% in March

Chile's economy grew at a modest pace in March, as a gradual rebound was weighed down by devastating floods and mudslides in its northern region, central bank data showed on Tuesday. The IMACEC economic activity index, which encompasses about 90% of the economy tallied in GDP figures, rose 1.6% in March from the same month a year ago.
Wednesday, May 6th 2015 - 06:18 UTC
Cutting down killer whale toothfish snacking in South Georgia

Studies of killer whales (Orca) in South Georgia waters may help fishermen avoid the whales stealing the fish off the fishing long-lines (termed depredation), according to the latest edition of South Georgia Newsletter.
Wednesday, May 6th 2015 - 06:06 UTC
Punta Arenas cruise visitors this season totaled 56.383 with 100 calls

The results of the 2014/2015 cruise season were considered 'positive' for Punta Arenas, in the extreme south of Chile, which received 100 vessel calls, of which 40 international and 60 domestic, totaling 56.383 visitors, a similar number to the previous season.
Wednesday, May 6th 2015 - 05:49 UTC
US approves licenses for passenger ferry service with Cuba

The US Treasury Department has approved licenses for passenger ferry service between the United States and Cuba, a Treasury Department official announced. One of the licenses was issued to Baja Ferries, part of a major shipping group with passengers and cargo operations, including on Mexico's west coast, according to a lawyer who handled the license application.
Tuesday, May 5th 2015 - 17:50 UTC
China warms up to Taiwan and calls for future relations on an “equal basis”

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with the chairman of Taiwan's ruling Nationalist Party (KMT) in Beijing on Monday for the highest-level meeting between the two sides since 2009.