Stories for July 21st 2009
Panama praises “professionalism” of Honduras Army in the crisis
Panamanian Vice-president and Foreign Affairs minister Juan Carlos Varela praised the Honduran Army for its “professionalism” in dealing with the political crisis of the country in spite of repeated claims of repression from human rights organizations.
Brazilian Senate supports Venezuela in Mercosur, but watchful of Chavez
“Respect for democracy is a very important principle for those who are or want to become members of Mercosur”, said Eduardo Azeredo president of the Brazilian Senate Foreign Affairs and Defence committee.
UK government borrowing soars and is equivalent to 56% of GDP
The United Kingdom government borrowing swelled by £13 billion in June to take overall net debt to its highest proportion of UK output since records began, official figures showed.
First Spanish minister visit to Gibraltar in 300 years
Spain's foreign minister arrived Tuesday in Gibraltar for talks with his United Kingdom counterpart - the first visit by a Spanish minister for 300 years. Miguel Angel Moratinos and David Miliband will seek greater maritime, financial and judicial co-operation.
Top Israeli official Latinamerican tour: trade and “Iran influence” in the agenda
Israel's foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman left on Monday on a ten day trip to Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Argentina to increase trade and strengthen ties with several countries as well as stemming growing Iranian influence in the region, said Deputy minister Danny Avalon.
Uruguayan ruling coalition loosing ground to the opposition
The Uruguayan ruling coalition Broad Front seems to be loosing steam while the main opposition party grows steadily ahead of the coming October 25th general election, according to the latest public opinion poll released on Sunday.
IMF implements plan to inject 250 billion SDR in liquidity boost
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is planning to inject 250 billion US dollars in Special Drawing Righst, SDR, into the global economy to bolster countries’ reserves as part of measures to combat the world economic crisis.
Mercosur stalled development and Honduras in Friday’s summit agenda
Bureaucratic problems stalling the development of Mercosur is the main issue to be addressed at the presidential summit of the trade block next Friday in Asuncion, Paraguay, according to regional press reports.
Argentina’s primary surplus falls for seventh month running
Argentina's primary budget surplus plunged 65% in June compared to year earlier, marking the seventh straight month of worsening budget results, the government said on Monday.
Former Peruvian president convicted to jail for corruption
The former President of Peru Alberto Fujimori, has been given a seven-and-a-half-year jail term for corruption. The 70-year-old was convicted by Peru's Supreme Court of giving 15 million US dollars in state funds to his spy chief Vladimiro Montesinos. Fujimori admitted making the payment, but said he later repaid the money.
