Politics

Tuesday, May 7th 2013 - 09:11 UTC
Winning design to replace Brazil’s destroyed Antarctic base was presented in Rio

The Brazilian Navy announced in Rio the winning proposal for the new Antarctic research base Comandante Ferraz which in February last year was destroyed by fire with the loss of two lives and damages in excess of 12 million dollars.
Tuesday, May 7th 2013 - 09:00 UTC
Rousseff creates ministry for small businesses and announces soft loans

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff announced on Monday a reduction in the interest rate on public loans for owners of small businesses from 8% to 5% and inaugurated the Secretariat for Micro and Small Businesses which will have the category of a ministry.
Tuesday, May 7th 2013 - 08:54 UTC
Cuban doctors to Brazil hinterland in exchange for infrastructure works

Brazil said Monday it was negotiating with Havana the possibility of hiring and bringing in around 6,000 Cuban doctors to work in areas where they are needed in the fifth largest country of the world and with a population of 200 million.
Tuesday, May 7th 2013 - 08:42 UTC
Falklands/South Georgia dispute placed by Argentina under the CCALMR umbrella

The Buenos Aires media is reporting a potential incident situation in South Georgia waters which could erupt into something more complicated from the moment the Argentine research vessel ‘Eduardo Holmberg’ has been involved in scientific activities in a zone which last year was declared by the UK as a Maritime Protected Area, MPA, and which Argentina does not recognize since it considers it ‘an area in dispute’.
Tuesday, May 7th 2013 - 05:49 UTC
Cristina Fernandez pledges ‘no Peso devaluation’, but markets are not convinced

In a clear signal to the markets, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner strongly rejected on Monday a possible devaluation of the Argentine Peso and targeted sectors advocating for such a measure, as she warned that “those hoping to profit from it will have to wait for a different Government.”
Monday, May 6th 2013 - 07:36 UTC
Paraguay supports Mexican candidate for WTO; ignores Brazilian hopeful

Paraguay made public in Geneva its support for Mexico’s candidate Herminio Blanco as the next Director General of the World Trade Organization. The other hopeful who reached the final round is from Brazil, Roberto Azevedo. On Tuesday it should be known who will succeed the current head Pascal Lamy as of next September.
Monday, May 6th 2013 - 07:27 UTC
Falkland Islands: “British sovereignty over the Islands as such, is not accepted by the European Parliament”

“British sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands as such is not accepted by the European Parliament”, according to a visiting delegation of EU lawmakers who met with their Argentine peers in Buenos Aires.
Monday, May 6th 2013 - 07:22 UTC
Unemployment in the US falls to a four-year low of 7.5%

The US economy showed last month why it remains the envy of industrialized nations: in the face of tax increases and federal spending cuts, employers added a solid 165,000 jobs in April, and the unemployment rate dropped to a four-year low of 7.5%.
Monday, May 6th 2013 - 07:17 UTC
Italian daily will appeal ‘defamation’ ruling favouring Cristina Fernandez

Italy’s news daily “Corriere della Sera” said it will appeal a decision by that country’s court which ruled in favour of Argentine President Cristina Fernández in a “defamation” case involving alleged “luxury” purchases at Bulgari shops in Rome.
Monday, May 6th 2013 - 05:30 UTC
Ecuador to begin negotiations to join Mercosur, after reaching accord with the EU

Ecuador will notify its intention of beginning negotiation to join Mercosur, while at the same time closing a trade agreement with the European Union. The announcement was made by President Rafael Correa during his regular weekly reports on radio and television.