Stories for December 2013

Saturday, December 14th 2013 - 06:58 UTC
Pot fumes: Mujica calls UN official, 'liar', after he accused Uruguay of 'pirate attitudes'

President Jose Mujica reacted furiously to the accusation of Uruguay as a 'pirate state' from the UN official in charge of drugs' control, who was protesting the legalization of marihuana and because allegedly he was never received by the Uruguayan leader. Mujica bluntly replied, leaving aside all nice talk, “tell that old man to stop lying and stop showing off to the stands”.
Saturday, December 14th 2013 - 06:40 UTC
A Nobel peace prize for Uruguay for legalizing cannabis

Uruguay's recent passing of a bill legalizing cannabis from production to distribution has generated headlines and controversy worldwide. The basics of the law is that current methods to combat drugs addiction and trade have failed completely and new options should be experimented.
The Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins writes on the controversy.
Saturday, December 14th 2013 - 06:34 UTC
UK Armed Forces minister shows the flag in Gibraltar waters

UK Minister for the Armed Forces said that a very, very long and continued presence in Gibraltar, with no defense cuts for the foreseeable future and full support of sovereignty were the key ingredients in the UK message he brought to the Rock. Before meeting Gibraltar authorities the minister took a tour of British Gibraltar waters with the Royal Navy.
Saturday, December 14th 2013 - 06:26 UTC
Bank of England concerned about potential for a UK housing market bubble

Bank of England governor Mark Carney has said he is concerned about the “potential” for a UK housing market bubble, but will tighten lending requirements if necessary. Meanwhile, a survey suggested house prices will continue “surging ahead”.
Saturday, December 14th 2013 - 06:21 UTC
Lloyds bank 'collects' another fine: this time for retail conduct failings

Lloyds Banking Group has been fined £28m for “serious failings” in relation to bonus schemes for sales staff. The UK Financial Conduct Authority said it was the largest fine that it or the former Financial Services Authority had imposed for retail conduct failings.
Saturday, December 14th 2013 - 06:11 UTC
Argentine central bank issues hard currency bonds hoping to lure cereal exporters

The Argentine Central Bank, starved of dollars and declining international reserves started to trade new short-term dollar-denominate bonds in order to encourage the farm sector to sell the crops they are still holding on to. It is estimated that over 3bn dollars in mainly soybeans remain in the hands of farmers and cereal exporters.
Saturday, December 14th 2013 - 06:04 UTC
Argentina: compensation to security forces that helped contain police protests and looting

Cabinet Chief Jorge Capitanich confirmed on Friday that President Cristina Fernández will announce next week an “economic and financial recognition” to the members of national security forces following the deployment of 12,000 agents across the country to counter the impacts of the police protests and lootings that hit almost all Argentine provinces over the past days.
Saturday, December 14th 2013 - 05:56 UTC
Prince Harry and team of 'Walking with the wounded' reach South Pole

Prince Harry and his fellow adventurers in the Walking With The Wounded expedition have arrived at the South Pole, the organizers have said. The group stood at the bottom of the world at 12:00 GMT Friday after more than three weeks of pulling sleds.
Friday, December 13th 2013 - 18:10 UTC
Venezuela clashes with World Bank over oil deal with Haiti

Venezuela has dismissed as “disrespectful” comments made by a senior World Bank official that Haiti was not transparent in its handling of funds provided under the Caracas-led PetroCaribe.
Friday, December 13th 2013 - 18:06 UTC
UK dengue fever health warning for Britons traveling to the Caribbean

The United Kingdom has issued a new health advisory for Britons travelling to the Caribbean following a surge in the incidence of dengue fever in England. The steep rise in British cases of the mosquito-borne disease has forced the health agency Public Health England (PHE) to warn travelers to be on the alert for signs of the illness after visiting the Caribbean.