Economy

• 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.

• Monday, June 13th 2011 - 16:20 UTC

  Agriculture emergency is Argentine Patagonia because of the volcanic ash

  

  The Argentine government is expected to announce Monday an agriculture emergency in several Patagonian areas as a consequence of the Chilean Andes volcanic eruption that has covered most of the territory with a blanket of ash leaving thousands of sheep with no water or pasture.

• Monday, June 13th 2011 - 12:37 UTC

  Argentina in 2011 is exporting more fish than beef

  

  Argentina’s cattle herd and beef production continues to contract and the latest statistics give full support to the tendency that begun in 2006: in the first four months of the year fisheries exports were more significant that beef overseas sales.

• Monday, June 13th 2011 - 11:37 UTC

  Volcanic ash cloud reaches New Zealand and Australia

  

  A cloud of ash from an erupting volcano in Chile has drifted over the Atlantic and Indian oceans to lie over southern parts of New Zealand and Australia, prompting the cancellation of dozens of flights.