International

• Friday, July 19th 2013 - 06:29 UTC

  Pope Francis wants direct contact with the crowds when he visits Brazil next week

  

  Pope Francis will not use bullet-proof ‘Pope-mobiles’ on his visit to Brazil next week to allow him more direct contact with crowds despite the security risks, according to a Vatican release.

• Friday, July 19th 2013 - 06:22 UTC

  Argentine Jewish community criticizes government on 19th anniversary of terrorist attack

  

  Argentine Jewish leaders harshly criticized their government on Thursday the 19th anniversary of the country’s deadliest terror attack, for dealing with Iran in ways they fear will only guarantee more impunity for those responsible.

• Friday, July 19th 2013 - 02:43 UTC

  Fiona Clouder appointed new British ambassador to Chile

  

  Fiona Clouder has been appointed Her Majesty's Ambassador to Chile, announced the Foreign Office. Ms Clouder will succeed Mr Jon Benjamin, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms Clouder will take up her appointment during February 2014.

• Thursday, July 18th 2013 - 08:35 UTC

  IMF sides with Argentina in dispute with hedge funds holding defaulted bonds

  

  In an unprecedented move, the International Monetary Fund plans to ask the US Supreme Court to review Argentina's case in a decade-old legal battle with holdout creditors, because of the implications it could have on sovereign debt restructurings.

• Wednesday, July 17th 2013 - 19:58 UTC

  Chinese market for beef soaring; companies after overseas farms and processors

  

  With more money in their pockets, millions of Chinese are seeking a richer diet and switching to beef, driving imports to record levels and sending local meat firms abroad to scout for potential acquisition targets among beef farmers and processors.

• Wednesday, July 17th 2013 - 19:47 UTC

  HMS Argyll sailors recreate Shackleton’s trek across South Georgia Island

  

  Sailors from HMS Argyll followed in the footsteps of Britain’s greatest polar explorer when they recreated Sir Ernest Shackleton’s legendary trek across the snow and ice of South Georgia Island.

• Tuesday, July 16th 2013 - 23:10 UTC

  Following the Snowden incident, Russia’s secret service orders typewriters

  

  The Kremlin's security agency is buying up typewriters to avoid damaging leaks in a move said to be motivated by the recent US surveillance scandals. Russia's Federal Protective Service, the KGB's successor in charge of protecting President Vladimir Putin and his officials, placed an order for 20 typewriters, according to the state procurement website.

• Tuesday, July 16th 2013 - 20:29 UTC

  Chernobyl at sea? Russia building Floating Nuclear Power Plants

  

  By John C.K. Daly of Oilprice.com - So much for the lessons of Fukushima; never mind oil spills the Russian Federation is preparing an energy initiative that, if it has problems will inject nuclear material into the maritime environment.

• Tuesday, July 16th 2013 - 17:21 UTC

  OAS/Ecuador workshop for maintenance of demining equipment used in border with Peru

  

  The Organization of American States, OAS and the Demining Centre of Ecuador (CENDESMI), with financial support from Norway have launched a training workshop for the maintenance and repair of MINELAB F-3 metal detectors and polycarbonate visors used in the deactivation of mines found in some areas of the border between Ecuador and Peru.

• Tuesday, July 16th 2013 - 17:15 UTC

  Uruguay presses for EU/Mercosur talks fearing loss of tariff benefits

  

  Uruguay needs a quick resumption of Mercosur/European Union trade and cooperation talks because at the end of the year expire a number of tariff benefits for Uruguayan exports, revealed Foreign minister Luis Almagro.