International

Tuesday, June 17th 2014 - 06:37 UTC
Argentina pressing Francis over Falklands' dispute, says Vatican expert

Vatican officials are becoming increasingly irritated with the Argentine government after its ambassador to Britain, who is a vocal critic of the UK policy regarding the Falkland Islands, requested a private audience with the Argentine born pontiff, reports a piece by Edward Pentin, published by Newsmax.com.
Monday, June 16th 2014 - 06:46 UTC
Merkel fully committed to reach an EU/Mercosur trade deal

German Chancellor Angela Merkel assured Brazil on Sunday that she will do her utmost to bring to successful end negotiations for a cooperation and free trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur.
Monday, June 16th 2014 - 06:37 UTC
Tear gas and pepper spray against World Cup demonstrators in Rio do Janeiro

Brazilian police used tear gas and pepper spray to prevent some 200 protestors from getting near Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium Sunday during the Argentina-Bosnia World Cup game.
Monday, June 16th 2014 - 06:32 UTC
Irish farmers fear 'decimation' from a Mercosur/EU trade agreement

The determination of European Commission President Manuel Barroso to conclude a deal with Mercosur before he leaves office posed a severe threat to Ireland's interest, Independent MEP Marian Harkin has warned in a piece reported by Irish Independent.
Monday, June 16th 2014 - 06:09 UTC
Beckenbauer ready to answer questions from FIFA, in writing in German

The former German soccer star Franz Beckenbauer said on Sunday he was ready to answer questions from FIFA about an investigation into World Cup bidding by June 27 and believed that should remove any justification for its 90-day ban on him.
Monday, June 16th 2014 - 05:52 UTC
G77 plus China summit confirms the close ties of Beijing with Latin America

The summit of G77 leaders plus China wrapped up Sunday with a call for an end to poverty by 2030, after a demand by Bolivia's President Evo Morales to eliminate the UN Security Council. It also marked the presence of Beijing which has become the leading trade partner of many Latam countries.
Monday, June 16th 2014 - 05:38 UTC
Support for Argentina's 'Malvinas question' in the G77 plus China summit

The G77 plus China extraordinary summit which took place in Bolivia over the weekend approved two statements in support of Argentina's position in the 'Malvinas Islands question' and a second referred to the current conflict with holdout hedge funds, a long running litigation that has reached the US Supreme Court. Argentine president Cristina Fernández attended the Santa Cruz de la Sierra event.
Monday, June 16th 2014 - 05:26 UTC
Bolivia honors visiting Ban Ki-moon with a coca leaves birthday cake

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon got an unusual treat for his 70th birthday when the president of Bolivia, Evo Morales, presented him with a cake made with coca leaves. The UN chief was in Santa Cruz, Bolivia for a meeting this weekend of the G77 group of countries to discuss measures for reducing poverty.
Monday, June 16th 2014 - 05:24 UTC
Jamaica plans decriminalization of possession of small amounts of cannabis

Plans are in the making in Jamaica for the decriminalization of possession of small amounts of marijuana. Among the proposals is that users of small quantities of the drug will no longer have a criminal record, and smoking of the weed would be lawful under certain conditions. However possession of cannabis would still be unlawful, though it would not lead to a criminal record.
Sunday, June 15th 2014 - 12:20 UTC
How Much Energy Will the 2014 World Cup Consume?

Along with 3 billion other viewers around the world, I plan to tune in for the month-long World Cup to see whether the 22-year old Neymar can withstand the colossal pressure that has been put upon his shoulders to deliver a win for team Brazil.