Stories for October 2013

Friday, October 11th 2013 - 18:24 UTC
Three million Spaniards living in extreme poverty, and becoming chronic says Caritas

The number of Spaniards living in severe poverty has doubled to 3 million since the economic crisis erupted in 2008, according to a report released by the Caritas charity, taking as poverty line those who live on less than 307 €euros (414 dollars) a month.
Friday, October 11th 2013 - 18:19 UTC
WHO calls for the phase out of mercury fever-thermometers by 2020

The World Health Organization (WHO) and Health Care without Harm organisation have joined forces to launch a new initiative to get mercury removed from all medical measuring devices by 2020.
Friday, October 11th 2013 - 13:34 UTC
Falklands’ government plans a memorial bust of Baroness Thatcher

The Falkland Islands Government is in the process of commissioning a sculptor to create a memorial bust of Baroness Thatcher. The project follows a public consultation held in the Falkland Islands as to how best to commemorate the late Margaret Thatcher. The high number of responses received demonstrates the high regard in which she is held in the Falkland Islands.
Friday, October 11th 2013 - 13:28 UTC
Venezuela inflation soars to 49%; Maduro promises more dollars to help with imports

Venezuela's annual inflation rate rose to 49.4% in September, from 45.4% in August. Consumer prices increased 4.4% month-on-month, the central bank said, compared with 3.0% in August. It was the highest annual rate since the Venezuelan government changed the formula used to calculate the figure five years ago.
Friday, October 11th 2013 - 13:23 UTC
Argentina September ‘Congress index’ inflation 2.11% and 25.44% in twelve months

Argentina’s “Congress” Consumer Price Index which is an average of private consultants and is released by opposition lawmakers, showed that inflation in September increased 2.11%, the highest September since 1991, accumulating 25.44% in the last twelve months.
Friday, October 11th 2013 - 13:15 UTC
Foreign direct investment in Latam remains strong and increases 6% in first half of 2013

Foreign direct investment (FDI) to Latin America displayed moderate growth in the first half of this year, compared with the 2012 similar period, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). The 13 countries of the region that provided data received 102.951 billion dollars, which was 6% higher than the first six months of the previous year.
Friday, October 11th 2013 - 13:11 UTC
Paraguay congress votes 10% export tax on grains and soybeans. Cartes expected to veto the bill

A controversial bill imposing a 10% tax on grains and oil seeds exported in their natural state was finally approved by the Paraguayan congress. The bill presented in 2012 was passed in the Senate, rejected in the Lower House and again ratified by the Upper House, however Deputies could not round up the necessary 53 votes to again reject it.
Friday, October 11th 2013 - 13:08 UTC
HMS Lancaster seizes in the Caribbean cocaine and cannabis worth £58 million street-value

Royal Navy HMS Lancaster has seized cannabis and cocaine with a street value of nearly £58 million while on operations in the Caribbean. The seizure took place over two incidents which came just days after each other, with Lancaster recovering cocaine weighing over 400 kilograms and almost 1.2 tons of marijuana.
Friday, October 11th 2013 - 13:03 UTC
FIFA investigator meets English officials on frustrated 2018 World Cup bid

Senior officials from the England team which bid to host the 2018 World Cup are meeting a lawyer appointed by FIFA to investigate allegations of wrong-doping surrounding the voting process.
Friday, October 11th 2013 - 12:57 UTC
Gibraltar Under-19 football team makes history as they compete for European Qualifier

Gibraltar Under-19 national football squad left the Rock en route to be the first team representing Gibraltar in a European Championship Qualifier. The first stop is in Bulgaria, where the Gibraltar players will prepare with a friendly against the Bulgarian national team. From there, they will travel to the Czech Republic to compete at the European Championships.