Stories for July 16th 2013

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 - 21:12 UTC
American offshore accounts in foreign banks with more than 50.000 dollars have to be reported

The US Treasury Department said it will postpone enforcement of a new law that cracks down on offshore tax avoidance by Americans by six months until July 1, 2014, giving foreign banks more time to determine how to comply.
Tuesday, July 16th 2013 - 20:45 UTC
Dilma Rousseff suffering impact of protests: approval rating plunges 24.4 points

A freefall drop in Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff's popularity following last month's social unrest is altering the outlook for next year's presidential elections, according to a poll released Tuesday.
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 - 20:10 UTC
Total plans to spud first exploratory well in Uruguay’s continental shelf in 2015

The French oil and gas company Total confirmed that at the beginning of 2015 it will spud its first exploratory well in deep waters of the Uruguayan continental shelf, according to Juan Gomez, one of directors from the country’s fuel company Ancap.
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.
Tuesday, July 16th 2013 - 17:10 UTC
Argentina has dealt a ‘mortal blow’ to Mercosur that has become ‘a political forum’

Speaking for a Brazilian business association in Sao Paulo, Rubén Barbosa accused the government of Argentina of dealing a ‘mortal blow’ to Mercosur, the regional grouping that was originally focused on economic integration and has since become a political forum for the region’s leaders as was again evident during the last summit in Montevideo.
Tuesday, July 16th 2013 - 17:03 UTC
Spain formally apologizes for the air incident involving Bolivian president Morales

Angel Vásquez, Spain's ambassador in La Paz, has delivered a letter to the Bolivian foreign ministry apologising for the aerial incident that forced Evo Morales to make an unscheduled stop in Vienna.
Tuesday, July 16th 2013 - 05:48 UTC
Brazil expects president-elect Cartes accepts the return of Paraguay to Mercosur

Brazil Foreign minister Antonio Patriota said he expects that Paraguay president-elect Horacio Cartes will accept the return to Mercosur following his taking office ceremony scheduled for next August 15.