Stories for February 2012

Friday, February 10th 2012 - 00:47 UTC
Spanish government to unveil drastic reforms to rigid labour legislation

Spain's government will unveil reforms to rigid labour laws on Friday that it hopes will be radical enough to get to grips with sky-high unemployment while not severing links altogether with unions ahead of key regional elections.
Thursday, February 9th 2012 - 23:55 UTC
Chilean community in Falklands march in support of the air link with Santiago

One hundred members of the Chilean population living in the Falkland Islands were joined by 50 to 60 Islanders in a show of unity against the possibility that the weekly Lan Chile flight between Santiago and the Falklands might be discontinued at the request of Argentine President Cristina Fernandez.
Thursday, February 9th 2012 - 23:43 UTC
Obama/banks mortgage-deal to rescue US doomed and struggling homeowners

President Barack Obama administration and top US mortgage lenders unveiled a landmark 25 billion dollars deal Thursday to help struggling homeowners get back on their feet and to reignite the moribund housing market.
Thursday, February 9th 2012 - 23:17 UTC
Mujica says Mercosur is “a chewing gum”; promises trade deals with third countries

Mercosur from a real point of view exits, but institutionally it’s a “chewing gum” claimed Uruguayan president Jose Mujica who anticipated he would demand from the block’s partners that Uruguay be allowed to sign bilateral trade agreements with third parties.
Thursday, February 9th 2012 - 20:30 UTC
Euro zone rate left unchanged; all eyes set on how to save Greece from default

The European Central Bank kept interest rates on hold on Thursday and altered its assessment of risks to the economic outlook as investors focus on the ECB possible role in helping Greece avoid default.
Thursday, February 9th 2012 - 20:25 UTC
Bank of England pumps an extra £ 50bn to boost the UK economy

Bank of England has agreed to extend its quantitative easing (QE) program by £50bn to give a further boost to the UK economy. When completed, it will bring the total amount of QE stimulus to £325bn.
Thursday, February 9th 2012 - 20:20 UTC
Judge Garzon barred from office for challenging Spanish 1977 amnesty law

The famous human rights crusader, the Spanish judge who won fame with his attempt to extradite former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet in the 1990s, is barred from office for eleven years for abusing judicial powers.
Thursday, February 9th 2012 - 19:54 UTC
“People of the Falklands want to remain British” and they will be defended

UK Prime Minister David Cameron said on Thursday no one should doubt his determination to keep the Falkland Islands British as he dismissed President Cristina Fernández announced complaint to the United Nations.
Thursday, February 9th 2012 - 07:47 UTC
Trade restrictions, main point of agenda when Cristina Fernandez visits Chile

Santiago media reports increasing disappointment in the Chilean government and private sector with the latest batch of Argentine measures to restrict imports and want the issue ‘top of the agenda’ when President Cristina Fernandez visits Chile at the end of the month.
Thursday, February 9th 2012 - 07:44 UTC
Argentina limits daily financial transaction per person to 1.000 Pesos (230 dollars)

Argentina limited the use of cash in the country’s financial markets as President Cristina Fernandez tightens oversight of currency transactions to help contain capital flight and prepare for what is anticipated a ‘difficult’ year for the Treasury and the Argentine economy.