Stories for August 2nd 2011

Tuesday, August 2nd 2011 - 22:28 UTC
Is Argentina a safe country for tourists?, questions the French media

Following the killing of two French young women tourist-packers in the northern Argentine province of Salta, --with criminals still at large--, the issue of security, safety and crime in Argentina has been widely exposed in the European and Unite States media, particularly the so-called ‘express kidnapping”.
Tuesday, August 2nd 2011 - 22:26 UTC
A man arrested in connection to the weapon used in the double murder in Salta

A man was arrested Tuesday in connection with the double murder case in Salta, where two French tourists were killed in the area of la Quebrada San Lorenzo last Friday, a Salta official informed.
Tuesday, August 2nd 2011 - 21:44 UTC
US consumers cut spending in June for the first time in two years

US consumer spending unexpectedly fell in June to post the first decline in nearly two years as incomes barely increased, a government report showed, suggesting economic growth could remain subdued in the third quarter.
Tuesday, August 2nd 2011 - 21:37 UTC
Wall Street fears possible downgrade of US rating in spite of vote on debt ceiling

Wall Street dropped on worries about a possible downgrade of the United States' top credit rating and signs of economic weakness even as the US Congress passed on Tuesday a bill to avoid a debt default.
Tuesday, August 2nd 2011 - 21:29 UTC
Emergency bells ringing in Europe: Italy and Spain in the Euro danger zone

Financial market pressure on Italy intensified on Tuesday, sucking Europe's second biggest debtor nation deeper into the Euro area danger zone and prompting emergency consultations in Rome and among European capitals.
Tuesday, August 2nd 2011 - 15:46 UTC
Geithner admits battle over debt limit has damaged confidence in the US economy

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said he is not sure whether the bitterly fought debt agreement to be considered by the US Senate will avoid a downgrade of the U.S. top-tier credit rating.
Tuesday, August 2nd 2011 - 15:41 UTC
Uruguay condemns statements denying Holocaust by Iran ambassador

Uruguay has condemned statements denying the Holocaust made by Iran's ambassador in Montevideo Hojatollah Soltani
Tuesday, August 2nd 2011 - 15:31 UTC
“Empress of Uruguay”, world’s largest amethyst geode vandalized

The 2.5 tons Empress of Uruguay is slightly less impressive after a tourist pinched a piece of the world's largest amethyst on show in Queensland, Australia.
Tuesday, August 2nd 2011 - 12:50 UTC
Spanish group receives soft funding to expand wind farms in south of Brazil

Spain’s Elecnor group is building more wind power plants in Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul totalling an estimated 300 MW. The undertaking was boosted by funding from Brazil economic and social development bank, BSDES)
Tuesday, August 2nd 2011 - 07:27 UTC
With hours before default deadline, US Senate votes on debt ceiling package

US House of Representatives has passed by 269 votes to 161 a last-gasp deal to avoid a federal debt default. The bill is expected to be approved by the Senate and signed into law by President Barack Obama on Tuesday.