Stories for March 2nd 2013

Saturday, March 2nd 2013 - 08:36 UTC
Mujica says Mercosur is a stalled pachyderm and needs trade accords with third parties

Mercosur more than a common market is a “poor customs union” said Uruguayan president Jose Mujica adding that new discussions on the future of the group’s future should be considered but which imply the possibility of establishing new free trade agreements with third parties.
Saturday, March 2nd 2013 - 08:27 UTC
On Monday congregation of cardinals begins process to vote for a new Pope

On the first day that the Church is without a Pope, Cardinal Angelo Sodano announced that the first general congregation of cardinals will take place next Monday morning. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, made the date public in an official letter sent to the world’s cardinal on Friday March first.
Saturday, March 2nd 2013 - 08:18 UTC
Opposition accuses Venezuelan government of lying about President Chavez condition

Opposition leader Henrique Capriles accused Venezuela’s government on Friday of repeatedly lying about President Hugo Chavez’s condition, and said the truth will be known within days.
Saturday, March 2nd 2013 - 08:12 UTC
Brazilian economy worst performance in three years; in 2012 growth was 0.9%

The Brazilian economy grew a mere 0.9% in 2012 despite government stimulus measures, its worst performance in three years, official statistics showed Friday. But prospects for the coming years are considered encouraging given the international events to be hosted by Brazil and the electoral calendar.
Saturday, March 2nd 2013 - 08:08 UTC
Battling the Justice system, Cristina Fernandez main political battle this year

Reforming or democratizing the Argentine Justice system and the Supreme Court is forecasted to become the main political battle of this year, according to Rosendo Fraga a low profile Argentine historian and a sharp political analyst.
Saturday, March 2nd 2013 - 08:03 UTC
Obama signs spending cuts after no agreement is reached with the Republicans

US President Barack Obama has signed into effect a wave of steep spending cuts which he has warned could damage the US economy. The cuts - known as the sequester and drawn up two years ago will take 85bn dollars from the US federal budget this year.
Saturday, March 2nd 2013 - 07:55 UTC
Argentina offers to pay ‘holdouts’ but on same terms as those who accepted debt restructuring

President Cristina Fernández defended on Friday her debt reduction policies and blasted the so-called vulture funds and multilateral organizations but also admitted Argentina was willing to pay holdouts on the same conditions that those who accepted the 2005 and 2010 debt restructuring.
Saturday, March 2nd 2013 - 07:46 UTC
“We want sovereignty over the Malvinas, but in peace”, Cristina Fernandez tells Congress

Argentine president Cristina Fernandez again called on the UK to hold talks over the sovereignty of the Falklands/Malvinas Islands during her address to Congress on Friday when she delivered the ‘State of the Nation’ speech and formally opened the 131st legislative sessions.