Stories for October 2014

Thursday, October 9th 2014 - 08:04 UTC
Colombia and Panama in retaliatory clash over tax haven controversy

Panama on Wednesday rejected its inclusion on Colombia's list of tax havens and said it will take retaliatory action against its neighbor. Panama has “a competitive and sound tax system, and therefore the national government categorically rejects any tax-haven designation,” the Central American nation's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Thursday, October 9th 2014 - 07:59 UTC
OAS Electoral observation mission in Bolivia for Sunday's election

Former Guatemalan president Alvaro Colom has arrived in La Paz as Chief of the Electoral Observation Mission from the Organization of American States (OAS/EOM) to head the group of 63 people who will observe Bolivian general elections of 12 October.
Thursday, October 9th 2014 - 07:55 UTC
Chemistry Nobel Prize for creators of 'nanoscopy' which peers into molecules of cells

A German and two American scientists won on Wednesday the 2014 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for smashing the size barrier in optical microscopes, allowing researchers to see individual molecules inside living cells.
Thursday, October 9th 2014 - 07:44 UTC
HMS Iron Duke and Ice Patrol HMS Protector coincide in South Georgia

The Royal Navy HMS Iron Duke on Atlantic Patrol Tasking south berthed this week in South Georgia for a few days where she also met with Ice Patrol HMS Protector which arrived at the islands on her deployment to Antarctica, after battling hurricane force winds and 24 meters waves.
Thursday, October 9th 2014 - 07:17 UTC
“Easy money” will be around for some time still, say Fed's minutes

US markets rose sharply after minutes from the September meeting of the Federal Reserve were released. The transcript indicated that US central bankers were wary of raising rates too soon. Officials were worried markets were too focused on a rate rise happening during a specific period of time.
Thursday, October 9th 2014 - 07:09 UTC
Low interest rates could lead to operations with riskier assets, warns IMF

The International Monetary Fund has warned of new risks to global financial stability. Low interest rates could lead investors to buy riskier assets as they seek better returns, the IMF says.
Thursday, October 9th 2014 - 07:05 UTC
Senior UK banker admits conspiring to defraud by manipulating the Libor rate

A senior banker from a UK bank has admitted conspiring to defraud over manipulating the Libor lending rate. The banker, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is the first person in the UK to plead guilty to the offence.
Thursday, October 9th 2014 - 06:51 UTC
World Bank staff strike off; chief financial officer declines part of annual bonus

The World Bank chief financial officer is giving up part of his bonus after an uproar over cost-cutting measures at the lender. Bertrand Badre will decline the remainder of his 94,000 dollar annual bonus, the bank said.
Thursday, October 9th 2014 - 06:38 UTC
YPF admits contacts with Russia's Gazprom but no accord or MOU has been reached

Argentina's state-run energy company YPF admitted on Wednesday having held promising meetings with Russia's Gazpron to consider different collaboration and business opportunities, “but so far has not signed any Memorandum of Understanding, MOU or agreement”.
Thursday, October 9th 2014 - 06:08 UTC
Mercosur finally agrees: unified number plates for new cars beginning 2016

The five full members of the Mercosur trade bloc will use unified number plates for their 0km vehicles starting in 2016, Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman announced on Wednesday from San Martín Palace in Buenos Aires city.