Stories for 2012

Tuesday, November 13th 2012 - 23:00 UTC
US public opinion pessimistic about a political agreement on the ‘fiscal cliff’

A majority of Americans expect the US to go over the fiscal cliff at the beginning of 2013 and would blame Republicans if that happened, according to a poll published Tuesday. On Friday Democrat and Republican congressional leaders are scheduled to begin discussions.
Tuesday, November 13th 2012 - 22:53 UTC
Argentines and Brazilians pay the most tax in Latam, says OECD

Argentines and Brazilians pay the most tax in Latin America while Venezuelans pay the least, according to a report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), released on Tuesday.
Tuesday, November 13th 2012 - 22:38 UTC
“Only a third of countries qualified for UN Human Rights Council”, claim advocate groups

Human rights groups have criticized the election by the United Nations General Assembly of several countries with questionable rights' records to the UN Human Rights Council. Of the 18 countries elected Monday to the Geneva-based body, human rights advocates say only about a third are qualified.
Tuesday, November 13th 2012 - 21:19 UTC
PM Cameron and Foreign Secretary Hague pay tribute to Sir Rex Hunt

British Prime Minister David Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague paid tribute to the former governor of the Falkland Islands Sir Rex Hunt who died at the age of 86 on Sunday.
Tuesday, November 13th 2012 - 20:51 UTC
Latam rapidly turning into middle class continent, says World Bank

A World Bank report released Tuesday found that Latin America and the Caribbean registered a 50% jump in the number of people joining the middle class during the last decade, which was called by economists an historic achievement for a region long exposed to wealth inequality.
Tuesday, November 13th 2012 - 03:58 UTC
Spanish banks suspend evictions for next two years for the most vulnerable

Spanish banks are suspending evictions for the next two years for the most vulnerable people. An estimated 350,000 families have been evicted from their homes since Spain's property market crashed in 2008.
Tuesday, November 13th 2012 - 03:52 UTC
Ecuador’s President Correa runs for a third consecutive term next February

Ecuador President Rafael Correa officially announced this weekend that he would run for a third term in February elections -- a contest in which he is expected to be the runaway favourite.
Tuesday, November 13th 2012 - 03:40 UTC
Brazil and Argentina sign ‘combined military operations’ agreement

Brazil announced on Monday its first agreement on combined operations with Argentina which will allow the two countries forces to act jointly in catastrophe situations and peace missions.
Tuesday, November 13th 2012 - 03:35 UTC
Despite Unasur, Colombia and Chile ambassadors are back in Paraguay

Colombia and Chile ambassadors returned to Paraguay on Sunday after six months absence, the first two members from Unasur in doing so and in practical terms breaking the isolation imposed on the landlocked country following the political crisis which removed Fernando Lugo and had him replaced by current president Federico Franco.
Tuesday, November 13th 2012 - 00:56 UTC
US to overtake Saudis and Russia as world’s top oil producers by 2’17, says IEA

The United States is forecasted to overtake Saudi Arabia and Russia as the world's top oil producer by 2017, the West's energy agency said on Monday. The International Energy Agency (IEA) said it saw a continued fall in US oil imports with North America becoming a net oil exporter by around 2030 and the United States becoming almost self-sufficient in energy by 2035.