Stories for May 2014

Friday, May 30th 2014 - 22:11 UTC
End protests against the World Cup, “whatever money has gone has been spent or stolen already”

The grand-daughter of former FIFA president Joao Havelange has stepped into the war of words over Brazil's World Cup preparations unabashedly telling protestors angry at the tournament's massive budget to get over it because some money had already been “spent” or “stolen” or “robbed.”
Friday, May 30th 2014 - 22:02 UTC
Brazuca ball less erratic than the Jabulani used at South Africa, say Japanese scientists

Scientists in Japan say the Brazuca 2014 World Cup ball will be less erratic than the Jabulani used at South Africa 2010. The Brazuca is the 12th World Cup match ball designed by Adidas. The Jabulani was criticized for its light weight and unpredictability.
Friday, May 30th 2014 - 05:28 UTC
Argentina can resume business with country export credit agencies, following Paris Club deal

Argentine president Cristina Fernandez praised on Thursday the agreement reached with Paris Club creditors and said that the government will now turn to international credit markets to finance “infrastructure, development, and technology.”
Friday, May 30th 2014 - 05:19 UTC
Uruguay parties chose presidential candidates in next Sunday's primaries

Uruguay closed on Thursday the primaries election campaign ahead of Sunday's vote when the different parties will be choosing their candidates for the big presidential contest on the last Sunday of October. Whoever is elected in October or in the November run-off will succeed President Jose Mujica on March 2015.
Friday, May 30th 2014 - 05:11 UTC
France praises Argentina's agreement with Paris Club and normalization efforts

French Finance Minister Michel Sapin praised Argentina’s agreement with Paris Club creditors, saying it highlights the country’s effort to “normalize its relations with creditors.”
Friday, May 30th 2014 - 05:06 UTC
Stanley Fischer sworn in as member of the US Federal Reserve

Former Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer was sworn in as a member of the Federal Reserve's board this week, buttressing the U.S. central bank's depleted policymaking ranks as officials map out plans to exit from their extraordinary stimulus.
Friday, May 30th 2014 - 04:59 UTC
Cold weather shrinks US economy growth in the first quarter

The US economy shrank by an annualized 1% in the first three months of 2014, official estimates have shown. It is the worst economic performance since the first quarter of 2011 and a big fall on the 2.6% rise in economic output in the final quarter of last year.
Friday, May 30th 2014 - 03:41 UTC
Brazil's leading anti-corruption Justice announces he is stepping down

Supreme Court Chief Justice Joaquim Barbosa, who with an iron hand presided over a well-known corruption trial that resulted in important politicians going to jail, will step down from the bench this year, Brazil's Senate leader said Thursday.
Friday, May 30th 2014 - 00:58 UTC
UN honors the 'long and proud history' of one million UN peacekeepers

Hailing the “long and proud” history of United Nations peacekeeping – with over one million “blue helmets” having served in more than 70 operations on four continents since 1948 – Secretary General Ban Ki-moon led the Organization on Thursday in honoring those men and women who lost their lives in the past year, while looking to the future, envisioning a modern, global force that can effectively tackle emerging peace and security challenges.
Thursday, May 29th 2014 - 22:06 UTC
Rousseff sends the Army to safeguard airports and hotels hosting national teams

Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff ordered the Army, which already occupies several of the favelas (shanty towns) in Rio do Janeiro to move in and take responsibility for airports and hotels that will be hosting the 32 national teams competing for the World Cup.