Stories for June 20th 2011

Monday, June 20th 2011 - 21:26 UTC
Iran and Cuba, two of the most repressive countries for journalists, says CPJ

Nearly 70 journalists were forced into exile over the past 12 months, with more than half coming from Iran and Cuba, two of the world's most repressive nations, a new survey by the Committee to Protect Journalists has found.
Monday, June 20th 2011 - 21:10 UTC
Uruguay presides over the UN Human Rights Council for the next 12 months

Uruguay in representation of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean countries (GRULAC) will occupy for the next twelve months the rotating presidency of the United Nations Human Rights Council which is seated in Geneva.
Monday, June 20th 2011 - 20:26 UTC
Moody’s upgrades Brazil’s sovereign credit rating to “Baa2”

Ratings agency Moody's Investors Service upgraded Brazil's sovereign credit rating on Monday, giving a vote of confidence in the government's efforts to prevent the region’s largest economy from overheating.
Monday, June 20th 2011 - 20:18 UTC
Unasur forecasts greater role for Latam in new international order

A new global order is emerging as a result of the world crisis and recession in developed countries and Latin America has a crucial role to play given its very satisfactory economic performance in recent years, said Unasur Secretary General Maria Emma Mejia.
Monday, June 20th 2011 - 06:26 UTC
Argentina and Falkland Islands meet Tuesday at the decolonization committee

Argentina on Tuesday is scheduled to make its annual presentation before the United Nations Decolonisation Committee on the Malvinas Islands question, as it has been doing since 1989.
Monday, June 20th 2011 - 06:15 UTC
Antarctic Treaty half a century celebration this week in Buenos Aires

Signatories of the Antarctic Treaty would celebrate the pact's 50th anniversary here on June 23 while attending the treaty's 34th consultative meeting, Argentine Foreign Ministry said Friday.
Monday, June 20th 2011 - 06:01 UTC
Norwegian Kon-Tiki expedition ‘partly right’ about Easter Island-Bolivia links

A new study has found that a Norwegian, who undertook a Kon-Tiki expedition to prove that Polynesians had South American roots, was partly right about his theory.
In 1947, late Thor Heyerdahl controversially claimed that Easter Island's famous statues were similar to those at Lake Titicaca in Bolivia.
Monday, June 20th 2011 - 05:43 UTC
Chilean government sells water utility stock raises 984 million USD

The Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO) raised US$984 million last week by selling its 29.98% stake in the country’s main water utility, Aguas Andinas SA.
Monday, June 20th 2011 - 05:37 UTC
Chilean volcanic ash cloud affects flights in South Africa

The ash cloud from the Chilean Volcano Puyehue-Cordón Caulle in eruption since June 4 has reached Cape Town airspace affecting flights in and out of Cape Town International Airport.
Monday, June 20th 2011 - 02:41 UTC
CFK has until Friday to launch re-election bid and disclose name of ticket partner

Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner is expected to announce this week her re-election bid and her running mate while public opinion polls indicate CFK could easily win in the first round of the presidential election, October 23.