Stories for 2012
Opinion poll shows majority of Chileans want to change the electoral system
A survey released this Thursday placed Chile’s long-controversial binominal electoral system under further scrutiny after revealing that 63.2% of respondents are in favour of electoral reform, while only 24.6% wish to keep the binominal system as is.
Fidel Castro an unchallenged master-spy, admits veteran CIA analyst in a book
Almost three decades after Fidel Castro took power, Cuba's budding intelligence service fielded four dozen double agents in a world-class operation under the nose of the CIA, according to a new book by a veteran CIA analyst.
“Flame” the most sophisticated malware uncovered targeted Middle East and Israel
A complex targeted cyber-attack that collected private data from countries such as Israel and Iran has been uncovered, researchers have said. Russian security firm Kaspersky Labs told the BBC they believed the malware, known as Flame, had been operating since August 2010.
Chile debates legal status of ‘forcibly disappeared’ persons during Pinochet dictatorship
Amnesty International Chile made public its 2012 Annual Report on Human Rights last week putting a special emphasis on justice for victims of human rights atrocities committed during the military dictatorship that ruled the country from 1973-1990.
German opposition wants growth targets before supporting EU new fiscal pact
A top ally of Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives appealed to the opposition Social Democrats and Greens to refrain from “playing political games” and back the government to endorse Europe's new fiscal pact and permanent bailout fund.
Sweden’s Saab invests in Brazil’s aerospace defence industry
Sweden's premier defense and security company, Saab, is strengthening its relationship with a Brazilian integrator of aero-structures. Saab, manufacturer of the Gripen jet fighter that has partnered in the past with the company Akaer, said it is now financially investing in the company.
Indonesia stops US beef imports because of a mad cow case in California
Indonesia has stopped imports of US beef, following a case of mad cow disease that was detected in California, reports Farming News Daily. Indonesia Agriculture Minister Suswono said the government had no time frame, but said the suspension applied to all beef shipped after April 24.
“Malvinas for Argentina and sea for Bolivia” battle cry at next OAS assembly
Bolivian president Evo Morales announced on Monday he will request at the coming Organization of American States, OAS General Assembly to be held in Cochabamba that the issues of Malvinas Argentine sovereignty and a sea outlet for Bolivia be discussed.
Peruvian government fights anti-Xstrata mine protestors: 2 dead and 50 injured
Two people were killed and 50 were injured in protests against Xstrata's Peruvian copper mine Tintaya on Monday, prompting the government to suspend freedom of assembly in a bid to break roadblocks isolating the mine.
Regional UN decolonization seminar in Quito with Syrian rapporteur
The UN Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, also known as the Special Committee of 24, will hold its regional Pacific seminar on decolonization in Quito, Ecuador, from 30 May to 1 June 2012.
