Brazil failed to reach its primary budget surplus goal last year posting a primary surplus of 104.951 billion Reais (53 billion dollars), the equivalent of 2.38% of GDP, according to central bank data released this week, which was below the annual target of 139.8 billion Reais, approx 3.1% of GDP.
Visiting United States Congressman Thomas E Petri expressed approval of the decision of Falkland Islanders to hold a referendum on the political status and future of the Falklands.
Argentine Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman turned down an invitation by his British counterpart William Hague to take part in a meeting in London with representatives of the Falklands/Malvinas Islands government, assuring that “the international community does not accept the involvement of a third party” in the sovereignty issue.
Two elected members of the Falkland Islands’ Legislative Assembly will be travelling to London this weekend to be available to take part in any discussions regarding the Islands when Argentine Foreign minister Hector Timerman meets with Foreign Secretary William Hague, according to a release from Gilbert House, Stanley.
Argentines wishing to spend vacations overseas, edgy farmers, strong demand from business and the government’s hoarding of hard currency are pushing the US dollar to new highs in Argentina, just a few cents away from the threshold 8 Pesos to the greenback, while in the official market trading is climbing closer to 5 Pesos.
Brazil's state-run oil company Petrobras said in a market filing that it would increase refinery prices for gasoline and diesel by 6.6% and 5.4%, respectively, starting on January 31. However the market’s reaction was negative with the Bovespa stock exchange falling to a seven-week low.
Argentine Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman summoned on Wednesday Israeli ambassador to Argentina Dorit Shavit, and expressed the “surprise and irritation” of President Cristina Fernandez government after learning that Tel Aviv had demanded an explanation from Argentine ambassador to Israel with regards to the recent agreement between Argentina and Iran.
The newly appointed ambassadors of the 2014 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday 30 January 2013, unveiled the tournament’s Official Poster at a media briefing in Rio de Janeiro. Four FIFA World Cup winners, Amarildo, Carlos Alberto Torres, Bebeto and Ronaldo, as well as women’s football star Marta, were invited by FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke to end the suspense and help unveil the design.
Argentina says it plans to withdraw from the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, ICSID, a World Bank body designed to arbitrate between states and foreign investors.
Argentina dropped seven positions and now ranks 54 in the 2013 World Press Freedom Index of 179 countries elaborated by Reporters Without Frontiers. Uruguay is the best ranked in South America, position 27, while other Mercosur full members standing are not very encouraging: Paraguay, 91; Brazil, 108 and Venezuela, 117.