Stories for February 2012

Monday, February 13th 2012 - 20:06 UTC
“We may be poor but not stupid”, China is not interested in EU government bonds

The head of China’s 410 billion dollars sovereign wealth fund CIC brushed aside a call by German Chancellor Angela Merkel to buy European government debt, saying such investments were “difficult” for long-term investors.
Monday, February 13th 2012 - 19:57 UTC
Controversy erupts in Argentina as lawmakers vote to double their salaries

A controversy has erupted in Argentina following lawmakers vote to double their congressional income while the federal government is cutting on subsidies and expenditure and has suggested ‘salary moderation’ for the coming round of negotiations with a roof of 20%.
Monday, February 13th 2012 - 19:53 UTC
EU/Mercosur hope to resume talks following French presidential election

European and Latin American personalities underlined the peril of falling prey to short term results and forget the long term relation between the two regions which is expected to be re-launched following the French presidential election next April.
Monday, February 13th 2012 - 07:17 UTC
Venezuela opposition unites and vote candidate to face Chavez next October

Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles easily won a primary election on Sunday to become the unity candidate against President Hugo Chavez, vowing to end 13 years of socialist rule that he said has left the country in deep crisis.
Monday, February 13th 2012 - 07:11 UTC
The Euro edges up as Greece votes austerity plan: Germany not convinced

The Euro edged up on Monday after Greece's parliament approved an austerity bill that put the country a step closer to securing much-needed funds, though market players worried about more hurdles before lenders seal a bailout deal.
Monday, February 13th 2012 - 06:21 UTC
Latest medical tests show Lula da Silva larynx cancerous tumour has disappeared

The latest medical examination of former Brazilian president Lula da Silva has shown that a cancerous tumour in his larynx has disappeared, one of his doctors told a local newspaper Sunday.
Monday, February 13th 2012 - 06:01 UTC
It is official: Uruguay’s UPM-Botnia pulp mill does not contaminate, never has

A huge pulp mill, UPM, which has been at the heart of a several years’ controversy between Uruguay and Argentina, does not contaminate revealed Uruguay’s Foreign Affairs minister Luis Almagro before the Uruguayan parliament.
Monday, February 13th 2012 - 05:48 UTC
Argentine congress will discuss Malvinas issue in special session in Tierra del Fuego

The Argentine congress will be holding an extraordinary session next 24 February in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego to debate on the Falklands/Malvinas conflict. Under the 1994 Argentine constitution, the Falklands come under the jurisdiction of the province of Tierra del Fuego.
Monday, February 13th 2012 - 05:39 UTC
Chile denies ‘media rumours’ of Argentine sea and air blockade to the Falklands

Chilean Foreign Affairs minister Alfredo Moreno denied rumours that Argentina had requested Chile to join a blockade of the Falklands Islands and also reassured that the government of President Cristina Fernandez has not questioned the commercial air link between Santiago and the Islands.
Monday, February 13th 2012 - 05:33 UTC
Argentine Church calls on government and opposition not to take advantage of Malvinas dispute

The Argentine Catholic Church supports the country’s claim over the Falklands/Malvinas Islands but also called on the Executive and the rest of the Argentine leadership not to use the Malvinas issue with a political purpose.