Politics

• Thursday, October 13th 2011 - 05:53 UTC

  Harrisburg, Pennsylvania becomes first US state capital to file for bankruptcy

  

  The US city of Harrisburg - capital of the state of Pennsylvania - has filed for bankruptcy, making it the first state capital to do so. Harrisburg faces debts of 300 million dollars and has struggled to pay for services.

• Thursday, October 13th 2011 - 05:51 UTC

  Jewish community concern with alleged Iranian plans to commit attacks in Buenos Aires

  

  After the US announced Iran’s alleged plans to commit terrorist attacks on Washington which could have involved consequent attacks in Buenos Aires, both the Israeli and Jewish communities in Argentina expressed their “concern” over the reports, maintaining that the news “did not surprise” them.

• Thursday, October 13th 2011 - 05:50 UTC

  Obama celebrates contributions of Latinos to US culture and heritage

  

  United States President Barack Obama celebrated the contributions of Latinos to American culture and heritage Wednesday in an event that paid tribute to the US Hispanic leaders, scholars and soldiers, including those from Texas.

• Thursday, October 13th 2011 - 05:40 UTC

  Chile ranks last for income and education in OECD report

  

  Chile was ranked last for income, education and the quality of environment, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development or OECD report on well-being released Oct. 12.

• Thursday, October 13th 2011 - 05:39 UTC

  Rio’s iconic “Christ the Redeemer” statue celebrates 80th anniversary

  

  On the same day that Brazilian Catholics honour their patroness, Our Lady of Aparecida, the country is celebrating Oct. 12, 2011 as the 80th anniversary of Rio’s famous “Christ the Redeemer” statue.

• Thursday, October 13th 2011 - 05:37 UTC

  US congress moves to block development loans to Argentina

  

  United States lawmakers are trying to block development loans to Argentina and seek out allies to pressure President Cristina Fernandez to settle with holders of defaulted debt in exchange for funding development banks.

• Wednesday, October 12th 2011 - 21:28 UTC

  Slovakia parties agree to vote for Euro rescue plan, and advance elections

  

  Parties in Slovakia's fallen government struck a deal with the leftist opposition Wednesday to ratify a plan to bolster the Euro zone's rescue fund by Friday, effectively ending a crisis that had threatened the currency's main safety net.

• Wednesday, October 12th 2011 - 21:26 UTC

  EC president calls for decisive action on Euro banks recapitalization and Greece

  

  The president of the European Commission called Wednesday for EU leaders to bring forward the introduction of a permanent rescue mechanism for states to mid-2012 from mid-2013 and called for more rigorous capital standards for banks.

• Wednesday, October 12th 2011 - 21:25 UTC

  Argentine president improving from hypotension bout resumes activities Thursday

  

  President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner showed “improvement” after suffering from a bout of hypotension Tuesday and will resume presidential activities as of Thursday, said doctors from the Government House.

• Wednesday, October 12th 2011 - 06:39 UTC

  Falklands Desire Petroleum and Rockhopper reach farm-out agreement and on new drillings

  

  Falkland Islands Desire Petroleum plc announced Wednesday that it has agreed the terms of a farm-out agreement, subject to the approval of the Falkland Islands Government, with Rockhopper Exploration PLC over the northern section of its Tranche D (PL004) licence.