Stories for October 2014

Saturday, October 4th 2014 - 10:29 UTC
US trade deficit down, while oil imports fall to their lowest in four years

The U.S. trade deficit slipped 0.5% in August to 40.1 billion, the lowest since January, the Commerce Department reported Friday. Oil imports fell to their lowest level in four years.U.S. exports increased 0.2% in August to a record 198.5 billion, while imports grew 0.1% to 238 billion. After a 40.3 deficit in July, analysts expected a 40.9 billion trade gap in August.
Saturday, October 4th 2014 - 10:06 UTC
US unemployment falls to 5.9%, the lowest since July 2008

The US unemployment rate dipped to 5.9% in September, a six-year low, official figure has shown. The rate fell from 6.1% in August and is the lowest recorded since July 2008. US Labor Department also said that employers added 248,000 jobs last month, and the job growth figures for August and July were revised upwards.
Saturday, October 4th 2014 - 09:41 UTC
“Don't abandon refugees at sea” MSF calls on Europe and Italy

One year after the tragic shipwreck off the island of Lampedusa in Italy, wars such as in Syria, protracted crises and chaos in Libya continue to push an unprecedented number of refugees to Europe.
Saturday, October 4th 2014 - 08:25 UTC
Pacific Alliance and Mercosur will attempt convergence, sponsored by Chile

A first meeting to assess opportunities for accords between the Alliance of the Pacific and Mercosur will take place next November in Santiago de Chile confirmed, confirmed Chilean foreign minister Heraldo Muñoz.
Saturday, October 4th 2014 - 08:15 UTC
Veteran career officer new chief of UK Secret Intelligence Service

With the agreement of Prime Minister David Cameron, the Foreign Secretary announced on Friday that Alex Younger has been appointed as successor to Sir John Sawers as Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service. Alex will take up his appointment next month.
Saturday, October 4th 2014 - 05:39 UTC
Mobbing by Argentine officials forces BBC Top Gear team to flee to Chile

Hooliganism and mobbing by government officials seem to be the norm in Argentina following on the experience of two incidents, one involving a BBC crew forced out of the country for their alleged 'disrespectful attitude' towards the Falklands/Malvinas conflict memory, and a second calling on hecklers to impede a conference in Buenos Aires of a former minister.
Friday, October 3rd 2014 - 23:34 UTC
Squid, hake and shrimp make up most of Argentine fisheries exports

Argentina exported 277.348 tons of seafood between January and August 2014, which represents a minimum rise of 0.01% compared to the 277.314 tons of the same period in 2013.
Friday, October 3rd 2014 - 21:00 UTC
The world's 10 biggest energy gluttons

Next time you get into your car and drive to the supermarket, think about how much energy you consume on an annual basis. It is widely assumed that Westerners are some of the world's worst energy pigs. While Americans make up just 5% of the global population, they use 20% of its energy, eat 15% of its meat, and produce 40% of the earth's garbage.
Friday, October 3rd 2014 - 07:53 UTC
Latest poll shows Dilma winning the run off with seven point margin

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has extended her lead over environmentalist Marina Silva ahead of Sunday's Oct. 5 presidential election and would win a likely second-round runoff, a new poll showed on Thursday.
Friday, October 3rd 2014 - 07:47 UTC
Falklands approves 80 room portable hotel ahead of the coming oil drilling season

The first sign of oil industry impact on the face of the Falkland Islands capital, Stanley is in the offing with the planning approval given for an 80 room portable hotel near The Trough.