Stories for March 2012

Friday, March 30th 2012 - 20:18 UTC
Argentina blasted at WTO for its trade-restrictive measures and lack of transparency

Argentina received a barrage of criticism at the World Trade Organization on Friday where the United States, European Union, Japan and 10 other countries accused it of tying imports up in red tape. They also requested Argentina provide a detailed written explanation of why in its view “these measures and practices are consistent with WTO rules”.
Friday, March 30th 2012 - 17:16 UTC
US lottery jackpot stands as a record 640 million dollars; some recommendations

US lottery officials say they are increasing the MegaMillions lottery jackpot to 640 million dollars increasing what was already a world record prize. The previous record jackpot was 390 million dollars in 2007.
Friday, March 30th 2012 - 17:04 UTC
PetroChina replaces Exxon-Mobil as world’s largest publicly traded oil producer

Beijing oil company PetroChina has become the world’s largest publicly-traded oil producer, surpassing Exxon Mobil Corp. in production last year, reported several international news agencies.
Friday, March 30th 2012 - 16:58 UTC
Spain announced toughest austerity budget since the return of democracy

Spain is cutting 27bn Euros from its budget this year as part of one of the toughest austerity drives in its history. Changes will include freezing public sector workers' salaries and reducing departmental budgets by 16.9%.
Friday, March 30th 2012 - 16:49 UTC
German V2 rocket from World War II found in east coast of England

A German V2 rocket from World War II has been found nose down in the mud flats at Harwich Harbour in the east coast of England. Royal Navy divers said it was buried vertically with about 1.5m of its tail exposed at low tide.
Friday, March 30th 2012 - 07:54 UTC
For Uruguay “there is not blockade of Malvinas by any country of the continent”

Uruguay reiterated its full and traditional support for Argentina’s sovereignty claims over the Falklands/Malvinas Islands, but at the same time underlined that “there is no blockade to the inhabitants of the Malvinas Islands by any country of the continent”, and clearly differentiated the Cuban and Malvinas blockades.
Friday, March 30th 2012 - 07:51 UTC
Rajoy challenged by general strike, recession and more loss of jobs

As Spain heads for its second recession since 2010 and unemployment stands at 23%, workers angry at a labour reform the government calls an “unstoppable” necessity staged a general strike on Thursday, bringing factories and ports to a standstill and igniting flashes of violence on the streets.
Friday, March 30th 2012 - 07:47 UTC
US economy expanded 3% in the fourth quarter and incomes even faster

The US economy expanded as expected in the fourth quarter while personal income grew at a much faster pace than previously thought, according to the Commerce Department final estimate released Thursday.
Friday, March 30th 2012 - 07:42 UTC
US Judge criticizes Argentine ‘continued intransigence’ in refusing to honour lawful debts

A US judge threw out claims by bondholders on up to 2.21 billion dollars of Argentine funds held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, but criticized the country’s “continued intransigence” in refusing to pay creditors holding defaulted debt.
Friday, March 30th 2012 - 07:39 UTC
Brazil monetary authorities suggest benchmark rate could fall to 9% (from 9.75%)

Brazil's Central Bank Monetary Policy Committee (Copom) reaffirmed the likelihood it will continue to cut rates and at the same time perhaps put into question its commitment to the 4.5% inflation target for 2013, according to the quarterly inflation report released Thursday morning.