Stories for October 2012

Wednesday, October 10th 2012 - 08:23 UTC
Brazil high court convicts top aides of Lula da Silva for ‘Mensalao’ corruption scandal

Brazil's Supreme Court convicted three top aides of former president Lula da Silva of graft related to a vote-buying scheme in Congress. Lula's ex-chief of staff Jose Dirceu was found guilty by six of the 10 judges in connection with the scheme that ran from 2002 to 2005 during the popular president's first term, a court spokesman said.
Wednesday, October 10th 2012 - 08:13 UTC
Foreign exchange clamp forces Argentine province to pay dollar bonds in pesos

The foreign exchange clamp in Argentina is reaching the provinces, one of which at least was unable to honor maturing bonds in dollars and made the payment in Argentine Pesos.
Wednesday, October 10th 2012 - 08:05 UTC
Argentine security forces reject government offer and continue conflict

Argentina Coast and Border Guards voted on Tuesday to continue with the eight day conflict after they considered ‘insufficient’ the government’s reply to their demands of higher salary and improved working conditions.
Wednesday, October 10th 2012 - 01:20 UTC
French and US scientist share Nobel in Physics for pioneering work in quantum optics

Two scientists one French and an American won the Nobel Prize in physics on Tuesday for their pioneering work in quantum optics, a field that manipulates light and matter to measure very precise properties of single particles.
Wednesday, October 10th 2012 - 01:14 UTC
US universities top world ranking; Asia surging strongly but Latam disastrous

Untied States universities dominate the Times Higher Education global rankings for 2012-13, occupying seven of the top 10 spots, but Asian institutions are on the rise while only four Latin American figure among the best 400.
Tuesday, October 9th 2012 - 21:21 UTC
Australia becomes world’s 12th economy ahead of Spain, Korea and Mexico

Australia has become the world's 12th biggest economy as it continues to out-grow recession-ravaged parts of Europe. New figures from the IMF confirmed Australia had replaced Spain as the 12th biggest economy as measured by GDP at market exchange rates.
Tuesday, October 9th 2012 - 21:07 UTC
World Bank further lowers China’s growth prospect as Euro zone and US falter

World Bank has lowered its growth forecast for China citing weak demand for its exports and lower investment growth. The bank said it expects China's economy to grow by 7.7% this year, down from its projection of 8.2% in May.
Tuesday, October 9th 2012 - 20:34 UTC
Economic downturn in Spain: Red Cross to make first ever public appeal

The Red Cross is to make its first ever public appeal in Spain to help those affected by the economic crisis. It will ask Spanish people to donate money to help 300.000 of the most vulnerable people.
Tuesday, October 9th 2012 - 20:26 UTC
UK displays ‘red line’ in plan to merge defence giants EADS and BAE Systems

France and Germany must reduce their stakes in defence firm EADS if the UK is to allow a proposed merger with BAE Systems to go ahead, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has said.
Tuesday, October 9th 2012 - 20:15 UTC
Ghana court to rule Thursday on the release of Argentina’s Navy vessel

The case of the seized Argentine naval ship ARA Libertad was heard on Tuesday by a Ghana Commercial Court which will rule on Thursday whether to release the vessel impounded on arrival last week at the Port of Tema, according to the official Ghana News Agency.