Stories for 2015

Friday, June 12th 2015 - 05:24 UTC
Pope tells Putin “a sincere and great effort” was needed for peace in Ukraine

Barely a few days after Europe’s most powerful leaders presented a common front on Russian sanctions; President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia landed in Italy and met privately with Pope Francis at the Vatican, his second audience with the pope in the past 18 months.
Friday, June 12th 2015 - 05:05 UTC
Rousseff denies being upset with Argentina over Mercosur and trade policies

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff stated on Thursday in Brussels she was not upset by differences with Argentina over the trade agreement Mercosur is to sign with the European Union, despite president Cristina Fernandez administration's cold feet on the issue.
Friday, June 12th 2015 - 04:55 UTC
“Isolated” mad cow case in Ireland; OIE had recently returned the “controlled risk status”

Irish authorities have identified a suspected case of Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or “mad cow disease”, on a dairy farm in County Louth, the first such case to be discovered in the country since 2013. The Irish Department of Agriculture said on Thursday the five-year-old diseased cow was discovered as part of ongoing inspections of animals that die on farms.
Thursday, June 11th 2015 - 08:37 UTC
Cuban novelist receives highest award of the Spanish language

The Princess of Asturias Award for Literature has gone to the Cuban novelist and journalist Leonardo Padura. There were 27 nominations from around the world for the prestigious award which has been won in the past by people of the stature of writer John Banville, Leonard Cohen and dramatist Arthur Miller.
Thursday, June 11th 2015 - 04:13 UTC
Timerman waters down Mercosur/EU agreement expectations

Argentine Foreign minister Hector Timerman affirmed that a trade deal would not be signed between Mercosur and the European Union (EU) in the second summit of the Community of Latin American States (CELAC) and the European body, which is taking place in the Belgian city of Brussels.
Thursday, June 11th 2015 - 04:05 UTC
Falklands triggers strong reply from Cameron when Timerman brings up the issue at Celac/EU summit

Foreign Minister Hector Timerman defended on Wednesday Argentina’s right to claim the Falkland/Malvinas Islands during the summit of the Community of Latin American States (CELAC) and the European body which is taking place in the Belgian city of Brussels. UK Prime Minister David Cameron responded by describing his comments as threatening, according to British sources.
Thursday, June 11th 2015 - 01:11 UTC
Battle of coins re-edits the Battle of Waterloo 200 years later

Belgium finally has managed to circumvent French resistance to the introduction of Euro coins to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Napoleon's defeat in Waterloo (18th June 1815). It has done so by invoking a little-known European Union rule that allows countries to issue Euro coins of their choice, provided they are in an irregular denomination.
Thursday, June 11th 2015 - 00:41 UTC
Mercosur ready to deliver its proposal for the trade agreement with EU

Mercosur is ready to deliver its proposal on goods, services and tariff reductions as part of the negotiations with the European Union for a trade and cooperation agreement, said Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff on Wednesday, following a meeting in Brussels with Charles Michel, Belgium's Prime minister.
Thursday, June 11th 2015 - 00:29 UTC
Bolivia's Morales does not support Mercosur/EU deal based on 'competitive' trade

Bolivian president Evo Morales said that if Mercosur insists in forging a trade agreement with the European Union, Bolivia will have to 'withdraw“, because ”we support solidarity and not competitive trade”. Morales is in Brussels attending the EU/Celac heads of government and state summit which takes off on Thursday.
Wednesday, June 10th 2015 - 22:22 UTC
Bank of England and Chancellor want tougher sentences for bankers' “culture of impunity”

Bank of England governor Mark Carney has called for longer prison sentences for bankers who break the law, in a speech attacking on ethics in the City. In his Mansion House speech Mr Carney said individuals acted with a “culture of impunity”. But, he warned: “The age of irresponsibility is over.”