Stories for February 2nd 2012

Thursday, February 2nd 2012 - 21:41 UTC
UK tells Spain: sovereignty negotiations only if Gibraltar so wishes

Britain would only enter into sovereignty negotiations with Spain if Gibraltar was happy for it to do so, Europe Minister David Lidington told the House of Commons this week
Thursday, February 2nd 2012 - 21:27 UTC
Controversy over criteria for the award of the Nobel Peace Prize

Swedish authorities are looking into whether the Nobel Peace Prize has been going to the “wrong” type of people, like human rights campaigners and environmentalists, in violation of prize founder Alfred Nobel's will.
Thursday, February 2nd 2012 - 19:48 UTC
Falklands/Malvinas: One can only hope for a new realistic perspective

This is the seventh of a series of extended political articles written exclusively for the Penguin News web site by Deputy Editor John Fowler. John is a former Superintendent of Education and a former Manager of the Falkland Islands Tourist Board.
Thursday, February 2nd 2012 - 05:47 UTC
Brazil will evaluate the impact and legality of Argentina’s latest trade barriers

The Brazilian government expressed concerns over the new Argentine trade barriers going in effect on Wednesday and informed that it would “evaluate its impact and legality” before making any decisions, Foreign Trade secretary Tatiana Prazeres announced.
Thursday, February 2nd 2012 - 05:40 UTC
UK convinced Argentina plotting to blockade the Falklands: LAN airlink next target

British diplomats have accused Argentina of plotting an economic blockade of the Falkland Islands amid fears Buenos Aires is attempting to block all flights from Chile to the Islands, reports the guardian.co.uk in a piece by Rory Carroll, Jonathan Franklin and Uki Goñi.
Thursday, February 2nd 2012 - 05:36 UTC
Obama administration unveils “Buffett rule” to tax all millionaires a minimum 30%

The US administration of President Barack Obama formally unveiled on Wednesday the “Buffett rule”, legislation to ensure that all millionaires would pay a minimum federal tax of 30%.
Thursday, February 2nd 2012 - 05:31 UTC
American Airlines presents union plan to cut costs and 13.000 layoffs

American Airlines said on Wednesday it needed to cut costs by 20% to stay afloat, as it met with union representatives to detail a plan for layoffs that reports said would total 13,000 workers.
Thursday, February 2nd 2012 - 05:21 UTC
US plans to wind down combat operations in Afghanistan by mid 2013

The US will seek to wind down combat operations in Afghanistan during 2013, more than a year before a deadline for withdrawal, the defence secretary says. Speaking while travelling to a Nato summit, Leon Panetta said the US hoped to switch to a role training and supporting Afghan forces.
Thursday, February 2nd 2012 - 05:15 UTC
IMF warn Argentina on ‘lack of progress’ in addressing inflation data

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned Argentina about its “lack of progress” in addressing inflation data and called on the country to implement “specific measures” within the next six months to improve it.
Thursday, February 2nd 2012 - 05:13 UTC
Cocker spaniel puppy will keep Catherine company while William is in Falklands

Prince William's wife Kate will not be on her own during her husband's tour of duty in the Falkland Islands: the couple have a new puppy, St James's Palace said Wednesday.