Stories for 2014

Monday, July 28th 2014 - 07:52 UTC
The New York Times calls for legalizing marihuana: “Repeal prohibition again”

The New York Times called for the legalization of marijuana, in a bold editorial comparing the federal ban on cannabis to Prohibition. The prestigious publication said pot laws disproportionately impact young black men and that addiction and dependence are “relatively minor problems” -- especially when compared with alcohol and tobacco.
Monday, July 28th 2014 - 07:43 UTC
Brazilian Jewish community apologizes to President Rousseff's administration

Brazil’s Jewish community apologized to the administration of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff for statements by the spokesman of Israel’s foreign ministry after Brazil recalled its envoy over the Gaza conflict.
Monday, July 28th 2014 - 07:34 UTC
Three top banks accused by investor of trying to rig silver prices

Deutsche Bank, HSBC and Bank of Nova Scotia have been accused of attempting to rig the price of silver, in a lawsuit filed in the US. The plaintiff alleges the banks, which set the price of silver each day, abused their position in the market.
Monday, July 28th 2014 - 07:30 UTC
Cash-short Venezuela considering the sale of its US downstream subsidiary

Venezuela's state-run oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) is considering offers to sell its U.S. downstream subsidiary Citgo, industry research group Argus Media reported on its website last Friday.
Monday, July 28th 2014 - 07:11 UTC
Dutch government releases former Venezuelan general retained on DEA request

The Dutch government released a former Venezuelan general who was detained on US drug charges when he arrived in Aruba to serve as his country's consul on the Dutch Caribbean island, sending him home Sunday night and defusing a diplomatic fight with its neighbor.
Monday, July 28th 2014 - 07:04 UTC
Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia private sectors unite to combat Mercosur protectionist policies

The private sectors from Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia agreed to form a business lobby, Urupabol, with the purpose of actively combating protectionist policies and other obstacles implemented inside Mercosur, mainly by senior members Argentina and Brazil.
Saturday, July 26th 2014 - 07:05 UTC
Mercosur to consider forming an 'economic forum' with ALBA and Petrocaribe

Uruguay's president Jose Mujica will be attending the next Mercosur presidential summit scheduled for Tuesday, 29 July in Caracas, when the creation of an economic forum Mercosur/ALBA/PetroCaribe will for consideration as part of the agenda.
Saturday, July 26th 2014 - 06:56 UTC
Cristina Fernandez will analyze holdouts' case during her stay in Rio Gallegos

President Cristina Fernandez left on Friday for Santa Cruz province, where she will stay for the weekend and analyze New York Argentine/holdouts case briefings. The Argentine delegation returned on Friday to Buenos Aires after two meetings with appointed mediator Daniel Pollack in New York, where no resolution was reached.
Saturday, July 26th 2014 - 06:49 UTC
IMF warns about 'default' costs for Argentina; calls for debt restructuring mechanisms

The IMF's chief economist warned that a default by Argentina in its battle with holders of its defaulted debt may hurt its economy and the global financial system. Argentina continues to face the fallout of its 2001 debt default, which plunged the country into an economic crisis it is still battling to overcome.
Saturday, July 26th 2014 - 06:36 UTC
Argentina/holdouts impasse remains; delegation back to Buenos Aires for instructions.

Argentina failed to reach a breakthrough with the U.S. court-appointed mediator in its battle with holdout creditors in New York on Friday in talks that lasted just an hour. The Argentine delegation is flying back to seek instructions from its government, mediator Daniel Pollack said, while the country's economy ministry underscored it would continue the dialogue with him over the next few days.