Stories for December 2008

Wednesday, December 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
UK launches OT offshore financial centres review

The British Government announced that Michael Foot, currently Chairman of the UK office of Promontory Financial Group, will lead the independent review of British offshore financial centres, mostly in Overseas Territories, anticipated at Pre-Budget Report 2008.
Wednesday, December 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Argentina/Chile commemorate 1978 events in P. Arenas

Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner travels on Thursday to Punta Arenas, extreme south of Chile, for the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the crucial papal intervention which defused a full fledged war between the neighbouring countries.
Wednesday, December 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Police had no warrant to search Tory MP office in Parliament

Britain's House of Commons Speaker Michael Martin said he “regrets” that police were allowed to search Conservative MP Damian Green's office without a warrant.

A parliamentary aide had allowed a raid - part of a government leaks inquiry - by signing a consent form, he added.
Wednesday, December 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
German auto industry heading for worst year since 1990

The German auto industry's leading trade group said Wednesday it expects 2009 car sales to be the worst since the reunification of the country in 1990 as the global financial crisis takes its toll on consumers and economic growth.
Wednesday, December 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Paraguay favours scrutinizing legality of foreign debt

Paraguay announced this week it has a “sincere” desire to study in depth “the origin and legality of its foreign debt” over the last decades, when the landlocked country was ruled by the Colorado party.
Wednesday, December 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Congress watchdog critical of US bail-out plan implementation

The 700 billion dollars bail-out of the US banking system is being carried out without adequate oversight, according to the General Accounting Office (GAO). The Congressional watchdog says that the US Treasury is failing to monitor whether banks have complied with requirements on executive pay.
Wednesday, December 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Obama names first Latino in cabinet: Commerce Secretary

US President elect Barack Obama said Wednesday on naming New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, --the only Latino so far who has been named to a cabinet post-- would be an “unyielding advocate” for American business and American jobs as Commerce Secretary
Wednesday, December 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
More than 100 countries sign treaty banning cluster bombs

Representatives of more than 100 countries gathered in Oslo, Norway Wednesday to sign a treaty banning cluster bombs. Norway, which has led efforts to ban cluster bombs, was the first to sign the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans the use, production, and sale of the weapons.
Wednesday, December 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Miami Cubans oppose continuing embargo on Castro regime

A new US public opinion poll shows long-time support for the US embargo against Cuba is falling among the Cuban-American community in Miami, which reflects a shift of opinion away from harsh policies towards the Fidel and Raul Castro regime.
Wednesday, December 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
UK mortgage market receives £ 1 billion to stem repossessions

British Primer Minister Gordon Brown has moved to stem growing repossessions with a £1 billion package to allow struggling homeowners to defer mortgage payments for up to two years.