Stories for February 2014

Tuesday, February 25th 2014 - 04:19 UTC
Barca pays 13.5m Euros on the contract of Neymar after charges of tax-fraud

Barcelona have made a payment of 13.5 million Euros ($18.53 million) to the Spanish treasury, after they were charged last week with tax fraud in the signing of Brazil forward Neymar.
Tuesday, February 25th 2014 - 04:13 UTC
Pope overhauls Vatican finances and names Secretariat for the Economy

Pope Francis has taken his boldest step yet to overhaul the Vatican's scandal-plagued finances, creating a new department with broad powers to oversee all of its economic and administrative affairs, the Vatican announced on Monday. The Secretariat for the Economy will answer directly to the pope and will be headed by Australian Cardinal George Pell, currently the archbishop of Sydney.
Monday, February 24th 2014 - 22:28 UTC
Brazil and EU agree to lay an undersea cable to avoid US internet surveillance

Brazil and the European Union agreed on Monday to lay an undersea communications cable from Lisbon to Fortaleza to reduce Brazil's reliance on the United States after Washington spied on Brasilia.
Monday, February 24th 2014 - 22:19 UTC
Rousseff and Barroso optimistic about Mercosur/EU trade talks scheduled to begin 21 March

Trade negotiations between the European Union and Mercosur could move quickly once a technical meeting next month has taken place, EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said after a meeting on Monday with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff in Brussels and the European Council president Herman Van Rompuy.
Monday, February 24th 2014 - 06:49 UTC
Magallanes the fastest and strongest growing region of Chile last year

Magallanes, in the extreme south of Chile plus Aysén and Tarapacá are the regions which registered the best performance in 2013 according to the country's indicator of regional economic activity, Inacer, which is released by the country's Stats Office, INE.
Monday, February 24th 2014 - 06:45 UTC
Italy experiments with a new prime minister and 16-member cabinet

Center-left leader Matteo Renzi took office on Saturday as Italy's youngest prime minister, facing pressure to show immediate results after he forced out his predecessor over the slow pace of economic reforms.
Monday, February 24th 2014 - 06:42 UTC
Sao Paulo protest against World Cup and demand more hospitals and schools

Brazilian police used tear gas and made an estimated 230 arrests on Saturday evening to disperse a protest in Sao Paulo ahead of the World Cup. Among those arrested in Brazil's business hub, which will host the opening match of the World Cup on June 12, were five journalists, O Estado de Sao Paulo daily reported.
Monday, February 24th 2014 - 06:40 UTC
World top economies pledge 2% growth in next five years and millions of jobs

The world's top economies have embraced a goal of generating more than 2 trillion dollars in additional output over five years while creating tens of millions of new jobs, while also promising more transparency in monetary policy to allay the concerns of emerging economies.
Monday, February 24th 2014 - 05:14 UTC
Rousseff consolidates as favorite to win re-election in October

Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff remains the favorite to win re-election in October with a comfortable lead over possible contenders, according to a poll published Sunday. The Datafolha polling institute said Rousseff has recovered much of the support she had lost in the wake of mass street protests in the middle of last year.
Monday, February 24th 2014 - 05:00 UTC
Insulza suggests 'outside players' could help reach an agreement in Venezuela

Organization of American States, OAS, Jose Miguel Insulza has suggested the participation of 'outside players' in Venezuela to try and lower the pressure and consequences of the current situation in the country. Insulza made the suggestion in a letter published by several newspapers from the region, but underlining that it is Venezuelans that must reach an understanding to overcome the situation.