Politics

Monday, August 1st 2016 - 13:16 UTC
US economy grows at slower pace in second quarter despite strong consumer spending

The United States economy grew at a much slower pace than expected in the second quarter and GDP was revised down in the first three months of the year. The world's largest economy grew at an annual rate of 1.2% in the three months to June, far below forecasts of 2.6%, Growth for the first quarter was revised down from 1.1% to 0.8%.
Monday, August 1st 2016 - 13:09 UTC
Venezuela announces it now holds the chair of Mercosur; strong objections from Paraguay (and Brazil)

Venezuela announced to fellow Mercosur members that for the rest of the year it was the new chair of the group, following on the expiration of Uruguay's six month mandate on Saturday, 30 July. The news was released by Spain's official news agency EFE, which alleges to have had access to the letter sent by the Venezuelan foreign ministry to the other four members.
Monday, August 1st 2016 - 12:58 UTC
Argentina and Mexico pledge to reach “absolute integration and free trade”

Argentina and Mexico agree on the need to reach absolute integration and free trade, as part of the closer bilateral relations confirmed with the visit to Buenos Aires of Mexican head of state Enrique Peña Nieto.
Monday, August 1st 2016 - 12:41 UTC
Roussseff's impeachment should be resolved by end of August, says Temer

Brazil's political uncertainty must be resolved by the end of August -- its Olympic-hosting month -- by reaching a verdict in the impeachment trial of suspended President Dilma Rousseff, her interim replacement has said. Michel Temer, the vice president who has been acting head of state since May, said he expected Rousseff would be definitively booted from office. That would make him president until the next elections in 2018.
Saturday, July 30th 2016 - 08:46 UTC
Falklands' museum heritage adds 19th century port of Stanley painting

Falkland Islands Museum Director Leona Roberts will be carrying a unique and valuable artistic insight into Falklands history when she returns to Stanley.
Saturday, July 30th 2016 - 08:15 UTC
“Keep mouths closed” aquatic athletes competing at Rio Olympics have been told

Aquatic athletes competing in the forthcoming Rio Olympics Games have been advised to keep their mouths shut while competing because they will “literally be swimming in human crap” and could pick up heavy duty illnesses from the contaminated water.
Saturday, July 30th 2016 - 07:58 UTC
Lula appeals to UN claiming he is victim of abuse of power by a judge and media in a corruption investigation

Lawyers for Brazil's former President Lula da Silva petitioned the United Nations on Thursday with allegations that his human rights had been violated in a corruption investigation.
Saturday, July 30th 2016 - 07:47 UTC
Olympics chief praises Rio and anticipates a “fantastic” Games

The head of the International Olympic Committee played down problems with unfinished accommodation in Rio de Janeiro that have prompted some teams to abandon the Olympic village, saying he expected Brazil to host a “fantastic” games.
Saturday, July 30th 2016 - 06:30 UTC
Mercosur: Brazil and Paraguay's rejection of Venezuela is “a desperate attitude”

Brazil and Paraguay's rejection to Venezuela holding the Mercosur rotating chair sounds much like a “desperate” attitude, but nevertheless it is unpostponable, said Venezuela foreign minister Delcy Rodríguez: ”it is impossible that the compliance of the (Mercosur) treaty can't be respected”.
Saturday, July 30th 2016 - 05:39 UTC
Mercosur limbo: Uruguay's presidency is over, who will hold the rotating chair ?

Uruguay made public on Friday a letter sent to Mercosur fellow full members stating the finalization, this Saturday 30 July, of its six-month presidency of the group, which means the rotating chair “should be transferred to Venezuela”. The letter was accompanied by a 32 page report of its six-month as chair of the group, particularly intense because of the trade negotiations with the European Union.