Stories for 2013

Wednesday, October 2nd 2013 - 15:46 UTC
Vatican bank opens its accounts for the first time, and there are surprises

In a bid for transparency and reform, the Vatican bank openly published a financial report for the first time on Tuesday. But the report came amid new accounts of vague withdrawals and deposits made to and by the organization.
Wednesday, October 2nd 2013 - 10:04 UTC
Francis calls for transparency and says too many popes had been ‘narcissists’

Pope Francis began landmark meetings this week to reform the Vatican, promising to do all he could to change the mentality of an institution he said was too focused on its own interests. Francis and eight cardinals from around the world are holding three days of closed-door meetings to discuss the Vatican's troubled administration and to map out possible changes in the worldwide Church.
Wednesday, October 2nd 2013 - 08:22 UTC
Rousseff reminds Cartes that Paraguay belongs to Mercosur and is strategic for Brazil

Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff received her peer from Paraguay, Horacio Cartes with full head of state honours but at the same time reminded him that Paraguay is a full member of Mercosur and “bilateral relations are in the context of multilateral relations with all countries of the hemisphere”.
Wednesday, October 2nd 2013 - 08:20 UTC
Irreconcilable positions forecast US government shutdown could turn really serious

The partial shutdown of the US government showed no signs of ending quickly, as lawmakers stiffened their positions and sought to shift blame to the other side.
Wednesday, October 2nd 2013 - 08:16 UTC
Argentina asks Washington to include AMIA bombing case in US/Iran agenda

Argentine President Cristina Fernández has instructed Ambassador Cecilia Nahón in Washington to formally ask the White House and the State Department to include the AMIA case in their meeting agenda with Iran.
Wednesday, October 2nd 2013 - 08:12 UTC
UN recommends Spain to overturn 1977 amnesty law that ‘forgets’ Franco’s era crimes

United Nations has called for Spain to overturn a 1977 amnesty law that pardons crimes committed during the 36-year dictatorship of General Francisco Franco. Hundreds of thousands of people died or disappeared during Spain's civil war and subsequent dictatorship, but the crimes have been shielded under an amnesty law passed two years after Franco's death, protecting former members of the regime.
Wednesday, October 2nd 2013 - 08:06 UTC
Britain’s Tories will stand by the people of Gibraltar “no matter what” pledges Hague

Britain’s Conservative Party will stand by the people of Gibraltar “no matter what”. That was the pledge made by Foreign Secretary William Hague on Sunday night as he addressed the Gibraltar reception at the Conservative Conference in Manchester.
Wednesday, October 2nd 2013 - 07:58 UTC
Nasa plans to launch 3D printer to help astronauts manufacture spare parts

The United States space agency Nasa is planning to launch a 3D printer into space next year to help astronauts manufacture spare parts and tools in zero gravity. It will be the first time a 3D printer has been used in space and could help reduce the costs of future missions.
Wednesday, October 2nd 2013 - 07:54 UTC
Brazil central bank admits “a lot of work must be done” to bring down inflation

Inflation in Brazil will remain stubbornly high well into 2015 even as the economy struggles to gain steam, the central bank said in its quarterly inflation report. The bank also revised down its estimate for economic growth to 2.5% for this year from a previous 2.7% forecast. The bank sees growth keeping that pace until the second quarter of 2014.
Wednesday, October 2nd 2013 - 07:51 UTC
Brazil posts first August primary budget deficit in over ten years

Brazil posted its first primary budget deficit for the month of August in more than a decade, central bank data showed on Monday, pointing to a deterioration in the country's finances that is worrying investors and rating agencies.