Stories for 2013

Thursday, August 1st 2013 - 03:56 UTC
Uruguay passes bill legalizing marijuana split on party lines; Senate discussion next October

Uruguay's lower house passed a marijuana legalization bill on Wednesday which now must be discussed by the Senate, most probably in October. The vote brings Uruguay one step closer to becoming the first country to legally regulate production, distribution and sale of the drug.
Thursday, August 1st 2013 - 03:50 UTC
Brazilian airport workers on strike but “only 15% of flights cancelled or delayed”

Thousands of Brazilian airport workers went on strike on Wednesday to demand higher wages, although contingency plans kept flights running on time, according to state airport agency Infraero. The workers' union is pressing for a roughly 16% salary bump along with improved benefits such as childcare.
Thursday, August 1st 2013 - 03:33 UTC
South Georgia company sponsors research on toothfish sustainability

Georgia Seafood is sponsoring pioneering research into the reproductive behaviour of the Patagonian Toothfish in South Georgia. Director of Georgia Seafood Stuart Wallace explained that in a market that demands sustainability it is important to the company that they support the science underpinning that aim.
Thursday, August 1st 2013 - 03:19 UTC
Obama propose political consultant and elite fund-raiser as next ambassador in Argentina

The White House has confirmed that US president Barack Obama has proposed fellow Democratic Party member Noah Mamet as the new ambassador in Buenos Aires, to replace outgoing incumbent Vilma Martínez.
Thursday, August 1st 2013 - 03:08 UTC
Gibraltar’s artificial reef anticipates tougher times ahead for relations with Spain

The Spanish Ministry for Agriculture, Food and Environment has filed a complaint over Gibraltar’s artificial reef at the office of Spain’s environmental prosecutor, a section of the state’s prosecution service that specialises in investigating environmental offences.
Thursday, August 1st 2013 - 02:59 UTC
Brazil criticizes IMF for latest aid to Greece: worst fears could be confirmed

A group of Latin American countries refused to back an IMF move this week to keep bankrolling Greece, citing risks of non-repayment, and the Fund itself said Athens might need faster debt relief from Europe.
Thursday, August 1st 2013 - 02:52 UTC
Falklands’ war: UK deployed laser weapon to ‘dazzle’ enemy pilots, say released documents

The United Kingdom deployed a laser weapon during the Falkland Islands 1982 war with Argentina designed to “dazzle” enemy pilots who were attacking British warships, according to secret documents released Wednesday.
Wednesday, July 31st 2013 - 18:13 UTC
Marine antibiotic compound, anthracimycin could help fight new ‘super-bugs’

A completely new and unusual antibiotic compound has been extracted from a marine micro-organism found in sediments off the coast of California. The discovery of genuinely novel antibiotics is rare, and experts say resistance to the drugs poses a grave threat to human health.
Wednesday, July 31st 2013 - 17:59 UTC
Pfizer agrees to pay 491m dollars to settle illegal marketing of Rapamune

US drug-maker Pfizer has agreed to pay 491 million dollars to settle a probe into illegal marketing of a drug by Wyeth, a firm it had acquired in 2009. The case revolved around Rapamune, a drug prescribed to prevent rejection of transplanted kidneys.
Wednesday, July 31st 2013 - 17:13 UTC
Markets up after Fed confirms it will continue with 85bn monthly bonds’ purchase

US stocks extended gains in volatile trading on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve gave no hint that a reduction in the pace of its bond-buying program is imminent. In a statement following its two-day meeting, the Fed said the economy continues to recover but still needs support.