Stories for February 2013

Tuesday, February 5th 2013 - 17:03 UTC
France insists Euro is too strong; fears it could undermine exports

French President François Hollande called on the Euro zone on Tuesday to develop an exchange rate policy to help protect the common currency from “irrational movements”. His comments came amid growing concern that the Euro, now trading around 1.35 to the US dollar, is too strong and could undermine the country’s exporters and hence wider economic growth.
Tuesday, February 5th 2013 - 16:51 UTC
Ecuador: two killed in political rally; Correa leads comfortably re-re-election bid

A campaign rally for Ecuador's president Rafael Correa turned deadly Monday night when a man stabbed and killed two people, state media reported. At least four others were injured at the event that President Correa was expected to arrive at moments later, the state news agency ANDES said.
Tuesday, February 5th 2013 - 06:25 UTC
January inflation in Uruguay confirms strong hike tendency

Inflation in Uruguay climbed 1.9% in January totalling 8.72% in the last twelve months, according to the latest release from the government’s stats office, INE. Last year twelve month inflation reached 7.48% and for this year the government established a target of 4% to 6%.
Tuesday, February 5th 2013 - 02:58 UTC
Brazilian congress challenges Justice: votes graft suspects to key posts

The lower chamber of Brazilian Congress voted overwhelmingly on Monday for Henrique Alves to become its speaker, even though he is under investigation for graft. The selection of Alves came after the Senate chose a new leader who is also accused of corruption.
Tuesday, February 5th 2013 - 02:08 UTC
Widespread football match fixing and criminal network uncovered by Europol

A major investigation involving Europol and police teams from 13 European countries has uncovered an extensive criminal network involved in widespread football match-fixing. A total of 425 match officials, club officials, players, and serious criminals, from more than 15 countries, are suspected of being involved in attempts to fix more than 380 professional football matches.
Tuesday, February 5th 2013 - 01:49 UTC
US government to sue Standard & Poor’s over 2007 mortgage-bonds assessments

Standard & Poor's says it is to be sued by the US government over the credit ratings agency's assessment of mortgage bonds before the financial crisis. The civil lawsuit would focus on S&P high ratings in 2007 for some mortgage-backed securities that later collapsed in value, said the agency.
Tuesday, February 5th 2013 - 01:10 UTC
A repeat of Shackleton’s epic Southern Ocean crossing reaches South Georgia

An expedition replicating Ernest Shackleton's 1916 perilous crossing of the Southern Ocean from Antarctica in a small boat has made landfall after a 12-day journey. Led by renowned adventurer Tim Jarvis, the team of six reached Peggotty Bluff on rugged South Georgia, where they landed their vessel in the same place Shackleton and his men beached the James Caird nearly 100 years ago.
Tuesday, February 5th 2013 - 00:24 UTC
Argentine leaders’ ‘creative lies’ according to a leading Italian newspaper

A leading Italian newspaper has published a very critical piece on Argentina, its honesty and what it describes as the succession of ‘creative lies’ in the country’s recent history going back to the myth about Evita Peron, the blood thirsty generals, Maradona, Carlos Menem one peso/one dollar, Cristina Kirchner and the latest the clash with the IMF over manipulation of official inflation and GDP stats.
Monday, February 4th 2013 - 23:50 UTC
Hague ‘open’ to Timerman but if talks refer to Falklands, Islanders should be present

Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Monday that he continues ‘open’ to a meeting with his peer from Argentina, Hector Timerman, although he insisted that if the talks refer to Falklands’ issues, representatives from the Islands should be present.
Monday, February 4th 2013 - 22:10 UTC
Argentina will never accept the right to self determination for the people of Malvinas

Argentina without the Malvinas Islands is an “incomplete country”, and the right to self determination is a ‘flag’ Argentina “will never allow to be used by whom were the basis of the largest empire history has recorded”, said Minister Hector Timerman on his arrival on Monday to London.