Economy

• Tuesday, June 14th 2011 - 17:06 UTC

  Seatrade Conference: South America cruise vessel operating costs ‘unbearable’

  

  Cruise vessel operating costs in South America are becoming unbearable according to company representatives speaking at the South America Seatrade Conference.

• Tuesday, June 14th 2011 - 16:56 UTC

  UN forecasts unemployment in Latin America will drop below 7% in 2011

  

  The strong economic recovery of Latin America and the Caribbean will make it possible to bring down unemployment significantly from 7.3% in 2010 to between 6.7% and 7.0% in 2011, according to ECLAC and ILO.

• Tuesday, June 14th 2011 - 15:12 UTC

  One in six Argentine children aged 5-17 forced to work to help their families

  

  An estimated 17.6% of Argentine children between the age of 5 and 17 living in urban areas are forced to work, according to a report from the Argentine Catholic University, UCA, released last week.

• Tuesday, June 14th 2011 - 15:09 UTC

  China hikes bank reserves to contain inflation; food costs up 11.7% in May

  

  China's central bank raised bank reserve ratios on Tuesday for the ninth time since October to try to curb inflation, which is running at its fastest pace in almost three years.

• Tuesday, June 14th 2011 - 13:49 UTC

  Antarctica visitors drop 8.3% in 2010/11 and 25% fall for 2011/12 season, forecasts IAATO

  

  The total number of visitors to Antarctica during the 2010/11 season, and traveling with IAATO member-operators, was 33,824. This includes those traveling on traditional expedition ships, yachts, larger cruise-only vessels as well visitors participating in land programs. The overall seasonal results reflect a decrease of 8.3% last year’s total of 36,875 passengers.

• Monday, June 13th 2011 - 23:55 UTC

  Falklands’ tourist spend average was up 53% last season, shows official data

  

  Tourist expenditure in the Falkland Islands has enjoyed a record rise – up 53% - according to new data released by the Falkland Islands Tourist Board.

• Monday, June 13th 2011 - 23:37 UTC

  Millions of farm-salmon in south Chile moved because of the volcanic eruption

  

  Chile’s National Fisheries Service (Sernapesca) authorized the transfer of more than five million salmon from three farms in the south of the country. The decision was taken as a precautionary measure because of the eruption of the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle volcanic range and possible pollution of rivers and lakes.

• Monday, June 13th 2011 - 22:55 UTC

  Falklands/UK airbridge remains on hold because of the ash cloud

  

  The next UK/Falkland Islands airbridge flight remains uncertain, following the recent disruption caused by the volcanic eruption in Chile it was reported by the Falklands radio station.

• Monday, June 13th 2011 - 22:40 UTC

  River Plate airports with no air traffic until Tuesday morning

  

  A remnant of volcanic ashes spewed by the Chilean volcano Puyehue over a week ago and which continues to hover over the River Plate again interrupted Monday activities in the three main airports, Carrasco in Montevideo and Ezeiza and Aeroparque in the city of Buenos Aires.

• Monday, June 13th 2011 - 16:25 UTC

  Unasur, looking at the EU, freezes project for common currency and central bank

  

  The Union of South American Nations, UNASUR has frozen the project for a common currency and Central Bank following on conclusions from the European Union experience (and crisis), said the Argentine representative before the organization.