Stories for March 13th 2014

Thursday, March 13th 2014 - 23:34 UTC
On the anniversary of his papacy, Francis renewed 'Pray for me' message

Reaffirming his austere and simple style – no mass celebrations have been scheduled in the Vatican to mark the first anniversary of his papacy – Francis chose a social network to address Catholics and renew his “Pray for me” message.
Thursday, March 13th 2014 - 23:31 UTC
China ready to set up private banks as it takes steps to open financial sector

Internet firms Alibaba and Tencent have been shortlisted as pioneers of a pilot scheme to set up private banks in China, as the country takes steps to open up its financial sector. A total of ten companies have been selected to set up private banks.
Thursday, March 13th 2014 - 23:25 UTC
Colorado state collects 2 million dollars from legal marijuana in January

US state of Colorado collected 2 million dollars in taxes from newly legalized recreational marijuana businesses in January. Colorado became the first US state to legalize the commercial sale of cannabis in 2012, and stores opened for business on 1 January 2014.
Thursday, March 13th 2014 - 23:16 UTC
Inflation in Brazil edges up in February to an annualized 5.68%

Inflation edged up in Brazil in February to hit an annualized rate of 5.68%, following a 0.69% monthly rise in February, national statistical office IBGE said Wednesday.
Thursday, March 13th 2014 - 22:51 UTC
UK prefers to discuss Malvinas with Massa or Macri says Swire, according to Telam

British Minister of State for the Foreign Office Hugo Swire has stated London would rather sit at the negotiating table with Argentine opposition presidential hopefuls Sergio Massa or Mauricio Macri to discuss Falklands/Malvinas Islands sovereignty.
Thursday, March 13th 2014 - 22:44 UTC
El Salvador Electoral tribunal declares incumbent candidate the winner

A former Marxist guerrilla leader won El Salvador's presidential election by a margin of less than one quarter of one percentage point, according to final results released on Thursday, but the right-wing rival continued to press to have the vote annulled.
Thursday, March 13th 2014 - 22:38 UTC
Pope Francis invited to address a joint session of the US congress

United States House Speaker John Boehner invited Pope Francis to address a joint session of Congress - an unprecedented event - during an expected visit to the United States next year. Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill have quickly sought to invoke the popular pontiff's devotion to the poor.
Thursday, March 13th 2014 - 11:26 UTC
Promising report on Argentine mining sector and contribution to the economy

The Argentine mining sector is expected to invest 3.85 billion dollars this year, including 800 million as imports' substitutes, announced Planning minister Julio de Vido, who also revealed that in the last ten years the sector has invested over 11bn dollars and generates an activity equivalent to 3.2% of GDP.
Thursday, March 13th 2014 - 08:20 UTC
Investment inflow in Brazil remain strong, says central banker Tombini

Investment inflows into Brazil remain “strong” so far in March, central bank president Alexandre Tombini said on Wednesday, adding that 9.2 billion dollars entered the country in the form of portfolio and foreign direct investments in February.
Thursday, March 13th 2014 - 08:14 UTC
Argentina's February inflation 4.3%, according to the Congressional index

Argentina's inflation during February reached 4.3%, according to the so called Congressional index, which is an average of private consultants and is released monthly by the opposition members from Lower House Freedom of Speech committee. This means inflation in the last twelve months in Argentina reached 34.8%.