Politics

Friday, January 3rd 2014 - 05:46 UTC
Latvia becomes the 18th member of the Euro club: not all Latvians convinced

Latvia woke up to both a New Year and a new currency Wednesday after the ex-Soviet Baltic state swapped its cherished 'lats' for the euro at midnight, becoming the 18th member of the troubled Euro-zone. The entry of the country of two million people capped another turbulent year for the Euro zone, recovering gradually from a crippling debt crisis and ensuing recession.
Friday, January 3rd 2014 - 05:36 UTC
Mujica admits relation with Argentina is “at a standstill”: all depends on Cristina

President José Mujica admitted that Uruguay's relationship with Argentina is “at a standstill”, and suggested that improving relations was up to counterpart Cristina Fernández and her actions, since “I'm always open to dialogue”.
Friday, January 3rd 2014 - 00:24 UTC
Record breaking Pope: Francis drew more than 6.6 million people to his audiences

Pope Francis drew more than 6.6 million people to his audiences, Masses and other events in Vatican City during his first year in office, figures show. The statistics cover the period from the Argentine's election in March to the end of 2013, the Vatican said.
Thursday, January 2nd 2014 - 18:21 UTC
Falklands 2014 oil industry major focus: how to develop the Sea Lion discovery

After a busy 2011 and 2012, 2013 was a relatively quiet year for exploration around the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. The various companies involved in the region's nascent oil and gas industry preferred to spend the year focusing on seismic data acquisition campaigns and consolidating some of their assets.
Thursday, January 2nd 2014 - 18:02 UTC
Gibraltar visitors in October/November down 40% because of Spanish checks at border

Visitors to Gibraltar during the peak months of October and November have decreased by over 40% from the previous year, statistics reveal. This comes after restrictions were imposed at the border by the Spanish authorities which they say was in response to tobacco smuggling but began immediately after the Government’s decision to lay an artificial reef in July.
Thursday, January 2nd 2014 - 16:00 UTC
China starts to build its fourth Antarctica base: more planned

Just days after the Chinese rover Jade Rabbit settled down on the moon, China is setting out to bolster its presence in another remote place: Antarctica. Chinese state media said on Thursday that construction workers are en route to the future site of China’s fourth Antarctic research station, after a pit stop at one of its other bases.
Thursday, January 2nd 2014 - 15:40 UTC
Colorado, USA, celebrates the end of marihuana prohibition and opens new chapter

The world's first state-licensed marijuana retailers legally permitted to sell pot for recreational use have opened for business in Colorado with long lines of customers, marking a new chapter in America's drug culture.
Thursday, January 2nd 2014 - 15:35 UTC
New Year in Argentina brings: hikes in urban transport and fuel and promises of a capped basket

New Year arrived in Argentina with much needed rainfall relief, but also with a hefty increase in urban transport fares, the same with fuel prices at the pump and the promise of a list of 200 products included in a price agreement with the county’s major supermarkets and retailers.
Sunday, December 29th 2013 - 08:40 UTC
Falklands historic events commemorated by Atlantic Patrol HMS Richmond

As part of her Atlantic Patrol Task (South) deployment, HMS Richmond has visited San Carlos Water, the scene of the amphibious landings during the Falklands War of 1982. The site is also the final resting place of HMS Antelope which was tragically lost on 23 May 1982.
Sunday, December 29th 2013 - 08:30 UTC
Brazil ups taxes on debit cards and travelers checks to contain outgoing tourism

The Brazilian government said on Friday it will raise a tax on operations with debit cards and travelers checks made abroad, in a move that will raise the country's tax intake by 552 million Reais (234.65m dollars) per year.