Politics

Friday, August 19th 2016 - 12:59 UTC
Argentina's Supreme Court rules gas rate increases must be rolled back

Argentina's Supreme Court on Thursday blocked President Mauricio Macri's move to slash natural gas subsidies, a much-hated policy that has sent customers' bills soaring. The ruling is the hardest blow yet to the business-friendly president's move to eliminate electricity, gas and water subsidies which he says are bloating the deficit and sapping the struggling economy.
Friday, August 19th 2016 - 10:50 UTC
European Olympic Committee head Hickey arrested in Rio for alleged sale of tickets

Police in Brazil investigating illegal Olympic ticket sales have arrested the head of the European Olympic Committees, Irishman Patrick Hickey, 71, who is suspected of being involved in a scheme to sell tickets for higher than their face value. He was taken to hospital as a precaution, and will probably stay the night there, police said.
Friday, August 19th 2016 - 10:39 UTC
Trump overhauls campaign team to try and reverse poor opinion polls

US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump overhauled his presidential campaign team for the second time in less than two months, hiring the head of a conservative news website to bolster his combative image and try to reverse poor opinion poll numbers. Trump named Steve Bannon, head of the Breitbart News website, as campaign chief executive officer, a new position.
Friday, August 19th 2016 - 10:11 UTC
Argentina points to Uruguay for causing a “vacuum” in Mercosur and the current situation

Argentina considers that Uruguay created a “vacuum” in Mercosur when it unilaterally adopted the decision to devolve the block's presidency, and creating an unprecedented situation. Since then Mercosur has been involved in a serious controversy over the transfer of the presidency to Venezuela, which has strongly discredited the South American block.
Thursday, August 18th 2016 - 06:13 UTC
Uruguay back steps on its claims regarding Brazil and the Mercosur presidency controversy

Uruguay back stepped on its statements referred to Brazil's “bullying with the Mercosur presidency” and admits there was a misunderstanding regarding Brazil's invitation for a joint trade promotion in third countries, according to an official clarification Wednesday release from the Uruguayan foreign ministry.
Thursday, August 18th 2016 - 06:04 UTC
Macri after full integration of Mercosur with the Pacific Alliance

Latin America needs greater economic integration and a merger of Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance should be the objective, according to Argentine president Mauricio Macri, who insists in loosening trade restrictions in his country and the region.
Thursday, August 18th 2016 - 05:57 UTC
US and Argentina cooperation in South Atlantic climate conditions and fisheries

An international forum on ocean and sea sciences between Argentine and United States scientists is scheduled for next week in Mar del Plata. The 23/27 August event is in the framework of the closer ties in research and innovation between Argentina and its new partner, United States.
Thursday, August 18th 2016 - 03:28 UTC
Nin Novoa's statements are “not compatible with the excellent relations between Brazil and Uruguay”

The Brazilian government said it was deeply disappointed and surprised at statements from Uruguay's foreign minister, which “are not compatible with the excelence of relations between Brazil and Uruguay”, according to an official release from Itamaraty, Brazil's foreign ministry, regarding the controversy over the Mercosur presidency.
Wednesday, August 17th 2016 - 21:34 UTC
Chile hosts international conference of teachers of English as a foreign language

The 14th International Conference of IATEFL (International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language) was held in Santiago de Chile on 22 and 23 July at Universidad San Sebastian with the attendance of 800 current and future teachers of English.
Wednesday, August 17th 2016 - 04:56 UTC
Uruguay ambassador summoned to Itamaraty after minister accuses Brazil of “bullying Mercosur presidency”

Brazil summoned Uruguay's ambassador on Tuesday after the neighboring country's foreign minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa accused Brazil of trying to “buy” its vote to block Venezuela from taking the rotating presidency of the Mercosur trade bloc.