Stories for May 2013

Wednesday, May 22nd 2013 - 17:55 UTC
“Fed not ready to take its foot off the gas”, Bernanke tells the US Congress

The Federal Reserve's monetary stimulus is helping the US economy recover, and the central bank needs to see further signs of traction before taking its foot off the gas, central bank chairman Ben Bernanke said on Wednesday.
Wednesday, May 22nd 2013 - 17:47 UTC
Merkel and Brazil’s Rousseff the most powerful women in the world, according to Forbes

German Chancellor Angela Merkel topped Forbes's list of the world's most powerful women for the third consecutive year, followed by Brazil's Dilma Rousseff, the magazine said on Wednesday. Cristina Fernandez from Argentina dropped ten places and now stands in position 26.
Wednesday, May 22nd 2013 - 10:28 UTC
UK approves vaccine against Schmallenberg virus which attacks pregnant cattle and sheep

A vaccine to protect sheep and cattle from a virus spread by midges has been approved by UK government vets. The virus, which emerged in the Netherlands and Germany in 2011, can lead to sheep and cattle having stillborn or deformed offspring.
Wednesday, May 22nd 2013 - 06:03 UTC
Uruguay: Mujica on a most ambitious mission to China after investments for ports and railways

Uruguayan President Jose Mujica begins on Wednesday the longest and most ambitious of his overseas trips hoping to convince China to invest in infrastructure projects that are crucial for the development of the country and its foreign trade: a deep water port and recovering the rail cargo network.
Wednesday, May 22nd 2013 - 06:00 UTC
Francis criticizes ‘savage capitalism” and the “logic of profit at any cost”

Pope Francis criticised what he called “savage capitalism” on a visit to a food kitchen on Tuesday, in an address in which he called for the values of generosity and charity to be revived.
Wednesday, May 22nd 2013 - 05:56 UTC
Uruguay joins the women’s presidential club: Mujica flies to China and Astori to Colombia

For several days beginning Wednesday Uruguay, as its neighbours, Brazil and Argentina will be ruled by a woman. Lucia Topolansky, Fist Lady but also Senator and third in the succession line will become interim president since her husband is off on an official trip to China and Europe, and Vice-president Danilo Astori will be attending the Alliance of the Pacific summit in Colombia.
Wednesday, May 22nd 2013 - 05:53 UTC
Uruguay’s main problem is high inflation but no policy changes planned, says Astori

Uruguay's main economic problem is high inflation, and policymakers will continue to use interest rates and bank reserve requirements to bring it under control, Vice President Danilo Astori said on Tuesday. Consumer prices in Uruguay rose 8.14% in the 12 months through April, far outside the country's official annual target range of 4 to 6%.
Wednesday, May 22nd 2013 - 02:12 UTC
Cristina prepares great rally to celebrate ten years of the Kirchnerite model

The Argentine government is preparing for a huge political demonstration next Saturday 25 May to be held in the Plaza de Mayo to celebrate 10 years since President Cristina Fernández late husband and predecessor Néstor Kirchner took office. It will also be a test ahead of the October mid-term election.
Wednesday, May 22nd 2013 - 00:25 UTC
Alliance of the Pacific promotes meeting with business and finance global leaders

A meeting of leading world and regional business and finance corporations representatives is scheduled parallel to the Alliance of the Pacific presidential summit scheduled for this week in the Colombia city of Cali. According to the organizers the event has 250 CEO confirmed for the First Business meeting of the alliance.
Wednesday, May 22nd 2013 - 00:16 UTC
PM Cameron warns 10 Overseas Territories on tax issues: ‘get your house in order’

Prime Minister David Cameron has urged British overseas territories to “get their house in order” and sign up to international treaties on tax. He wrote to 10 territories and crown dependencies, including the Cayman Islands and the Isle of Man, which operate low-tax regimes.