Politics
PoliticsArgentine government disavows the strike and confirms current policies
The Argentine government said on Friday there is no turning back of current policies despite the massive national strike that paralyzed the country on Thursday and insisted that the real impact was the result of the roadblocks in the accesses to the main cities.
Brazilian police investigation into money laundering includes Petrobras
Brazil's Federal police confirmed on Friday that it had orders from a Parana federal judge to raid Petrobras offices in search of documentation related to an alleged major money laundering scheme but it was not necessary because of the collaboration from the country's largest oil and gas corporation officials.
G20 give the US until year-end to ratify long delayed reforms to IMF
Finance chiefs from around the globe gave the United States until year-end to ratify long-delayed reforms to the International Monetary Fund and threatened to move forward without it if it fails to do so.
Memorial unveiling to commemorate the Battle of the River Plate
With consular representation from New Zealand and Uruguay, survivors of the first major naval battle of the Second World War will gather at Britain's National Memorial Arboretum to unveil a memorial commemorating the event. The Battle of the River Plate took place 75 years ago and less than a dozen veterans are still alive from this, the only episode of the war to take place in South America.
Atlantic patrol HMS Portland busy in Angola and South Africa
The Plymouth based frigate, HMS Portland currently deployed on South Atlantic tasking reached this week South Africa's Cape Town where she was involved in promoting Britain and in charity activities. Previously she made a short stop in the Angolan capital, Luanda to highlight UK’s relationship with Angola and provide training to Angolan Navy personnel.
Police and squatters clash in Rio do Janeiro next to the Maracana stadium
A dozen people were hurt and 27 arrested Friday in clashes between police and some of the roughly 5,000 squatters occupying a vacant industrial property in Rio do Janeiro, Brazil's second-largest city. Militants among the squatters set fire to several vehicles including a police patrol as they sought to remain on the site in the impoverished Engenho Novo neighborhood just steps away from the iconic Maracana stadium.
Peruvian president Humala honoured as “Statesman of the Year” in Canada
Peruvian President Ollanta Humala at the end of his three day visit to Canada was honoured in Toronto by the Canadian Council of the Americas with the “Statesman of the Year” annual award. On thanking the award President Humala said that Peru during this year is expected to expand over 5.5% while investment is set to increase by 8%.
Greece returns strongly to the bond market with a 3-billion Euro issue at 4.95%
Two years after it nearly crashed out of the Euro zone, Greece returned to the bond market this week with yield-hungry investors rushing to buy its debt in a 3-billion Euro deal that could mark the beginning of the end of its bailout. Athens offered a yield of just 4.95% to sell five-year bonds, the second lowest borrowing costs for a bailed-out Euro zone state returning to market.
Olympic Committee top official sent to Rio to tackle delays in the 2016 Games
The International Olympic Committee is sending its executive director Gilbert Felli to Brazil next week as part of a series of emergency measures to tackle the delays threatening the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. The announcement was made by IOC president Thomas Bach.
The Economist's view of Argentine leader Cristina Fernández
The Economist has a piece on Argentina's president Cristina Fernández, an X-ray on her character, reactions, but also strong points, and what can be expected of what is left of her mandate that ends in December 2015. Even with her clout dwindling Cristina Fernández remains the most powerful politician of Argentina.
