Stories for January 12th 2016

Tuesday, January 12th 2016 - 07:36 UTC
Judicial and Legislative branches clash in Venezuela threatening institutional stability

Venezuela headed into ever more complicated political waters on Monday as the Supreme Court declared the newly opposition-controlled legislature null and void and the opposition vowed to continue defying the judges.
Tuesday, January 12th 2016 - 07:24 UTC
Sour victory for Macri: all fugitives captured after 15-days on the run; 'the whole system is rotten'

Fifteen days of a major embarrassment for the government of Argentine president Mauricio Macri came to an end on Monday after police commandos recaptured two of the country's most notorious convicts in a rice mill plant, ending a 15-day manhunt through backwater towns and two provinces.
Tuesday, January 12th 2016 - 07:10 UTC
Messi undisputed king of the 'beautiful game': fifth Ballon d'Or

Lionel Messi reclaimed the FIFA Ballon d'Or award for the world player of the year on Monday, after watching his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo walk off with the prize for the previous two years. The Argentine Barcelona forward finished ahead of Ronaldo and Brazil forward Neymar as he scooped the award for a record fifth time overall, having previously won it four years in a row from 2009 to 2012.
Tuesday, January 12th 2016 - 06:50 UTC
Brazilian prosecutors looking into possible foreign and local banks involvemrny in Petrobras corruption

Brazil's federal tax authority and prosecutors are investigating 13 foreign and local banks for possible financial crimes intermediating loans to Brazilian engineering conglomerate Grupo Schahin, newspaper O Estado de S Paulo says.
Tuesday, January 12th 2016 - 06:38 UTC
Cruise ports and island-resorts funded by the same companies, boom in the Caribbean and Central America

The Caribbean and cruise ship passengers alike are expected to benefit from at least four new cruise ports that are in the works to open in the region in the next few years. Cruise Fever reports that Harvest Caye in Belize will be the first up and running, with a scheduled opening date of February 16, when Norwegian Jade visits the port to take in the country’s eclectic mix of rainforests, jungle, and coral reefs.
Tuesday, January 12th 2016 - 06:30 UTC
Five cups of coffee a day good for the heart and to combat diabetes, says 10-year study

A major US study has found that people who drink up to five cups of coffee daily are less likely to die from health issues such as heart disease and diabetes compared to those who don’t drink coffee at all. The 10-year study found that the more coffee people drank, the less likely they were to die early. The results were similar with people who drank decaffeinated coffee.
Tuesday, January 12th 2016 - 06:25 UTC
Chile seaweed exports net 209 million dollars in nine months

Seaweed exports from Chile reached 209 million dollars in the first nine months of the year, which is 16.4% below the same period in 2014.According to the latest Boletín de Exportaciones Pesqueras y de Acuicultura de Chile, (Fisheries and Aquaculture exports report) prepared by the Economy Department of the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP), the contribution of these products to total income received from the sector's exports was 5%.
Tuesday, January 12th 2016 - 01:40 UTC
As copper prices slide, the US dollar in Chile climbs to its highest value since 2003

The US dollar reaffirmed its value in the Chilean money exchange market during the first week of the year, trading in the commercial sector at an average of 728 Pesos, almost at its highest level of 735 twelve years ago, 31 March 2003.