Stories for March 2013

Saturday, March 9th 2013 - 04:32 UTC
Cardinals begin conclave Tuesday for new Pope; demands for more transparency

Catholic cardinals gathered in Rome voted Friday to begin the conclave, to elect a new pope next Tuesday afternoon, the Vatican said. The 115 cardinal-electors taking part in the conclave will enter the closed-door process after a morning Mass and only cardinals younger than 80 are eligible to vote.
Saturday, March 9th 2013 - 04:16 UTC
ECB calls on governments to promote growth and combat the tragedy of unemployment

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi urged indebted governments to move beyond spending cuts and tax hikes and introduce reforms that would boost growth and reduce the “tragedy” of unemployment.
Friday, March 8th 2013 - 22:14 UTC
Demand for US to recognize the Falklands and support the referendum

By Harold Briley, London
A demand that President Obama should stop siding with Argentina in the Falkland Islands dispute and instead fully back Britain and the Islanders has been made by a team of eminent US academics. In a sustained attack, they condemn United States policies as hypocritical and dangerous by claiming a posture of neutrality while supporting Argentina, which is conducting a campaign of “bullying intimidation, aggression, coercion and confrontation”.
Friday, March 8th 2013 - 08:41 UTC
Falklands’ referendum observation mission has representatives from seven countries

An impartial group of independent international observers, Referendum International Observation Mission (RIOM) will monitor the referendum on the political future of the Falkland Islands on Sunday and Monday, according to a release.
Friday, March 8th 2013 - 08:25 UTC
Falklands organizing grass root events to celebrate the referendum

The Falkland Islands are arranging for three ‘grass roots’ events to celebrate the March10/11 referendum, when Islanders will decide on their political status and future of the Islands.
Friday, March 8th 2013 - 08:13 UTC
Emotional Cristina Fernandez back in Argentina misses Chavez funeral ceremony

As world leaders were arriving at Caracas late Thursday for Friday’s funeral ceremony of President Hugo Chavez, Argentine president Cristina Fernandez and her delegation were back in Buenos Aires. The Argentine president visited the Military Hospital’s chapel Thursday noon for a final goodbye to the Venezuelan leader and then ordered the flight back to Buenos Aires.
Friday, March 8th 2013 - 07:58 UTC
Uruguay completes investment-grade ‘triple crown’ from the three big credit rating agencies

Uruguay finally managed on Thursday to achieve investment grade debt rating from the three major agencies when Fitch raised the country’s rating to BBB-minus from BB-plus, citing economic resilience as well as the political and social stability of the country, squeezed between Brazil and Argentina.
Friday, March 8th 2013 - 07:50 UTC
IDB approves largest financial operation for Uruguay: 550 million dollars

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a 550 million dollars operation for Uruguay to fund the Program for Strategic International Positioning, which aims to substantially increase investment and exports by strengthening the regulatory and institutional framework, promoting and facilitating trade, and boosting entrepreneurial innovation.
Friday, March 8th 2013 - 07:35 UTC
Chavez to be embalmed ‘for eternity’; Maduro takes the oath as ‘acting’ president

Venezuela's Hugo Chavez will be embalmed and put on display “for eternity” at a military museum after the state funeral and an extended period of lying in state, acting President Nicolas Maduro said on Thursday.
Friday, March 8th 2013 - 07:22 UTC
Iranian president will attend Chavez funeral ceremony on Friday

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is expected in Caracas early Friday on time to pay tribute to his late Venezuelan counterpart, Hugo Chavez, who died earlier this week after a two-year battle with cancer. Ahmadinejad left Tehran for Caracas on Thursday.