Stories for March 15th 2012

Thursday, March 15th 2012 - 22:30 UTC
PM Cameron says Obama promised ‘neutrality’ and ‘no prodding’ for talks on the Falklands issue

Prime Minister David Cameron revealed President Barack Obama said the US was content with the status quo in the Falkland Islands and ‘would stop prodding Britain and Argentina’ to talk to each other.
Thursday, March 15th 2012 - 22:17 UTC
Quick reply to Argentina: UK reaffirms Falklands’ right to develop hydrocarbons resources

Britain waited only a few minutes for Argentina to finish detailing a barrage of legal and administrative threats against anybody and everybody involved in the Falklands oil industry, and firmly stated its full support to the Islanders development of their hydrocarbons resources.
Thursday, March 15th 2012 - 14:55 UTC
Power struggle and ideological division exposed in China’s leadership

Ambitious Chinese Communist Party leadership contender Bo Xilai has been sacked from his post as head of the city of Chongqing in a dramatic move that exposes growing ideological divisions just as a new generation readies to take power.
Thursday, March 15th 2012 - 14:29 UTC
Wen Jibao calls for ‘urgent reform; warns against another ‘Cultural Revolution’

Chinese Premier Wen Jibao made a strong pitch for political reforms in the Communist ruled country, warning that a failure to carry out structural corrections could unleash the upheaval of another Cultural Revolution.
Thursday, March 15th 2012 - 06:20 UTC
“Self-determination is the right path for the Falkland Islands”

To affirm the Special Relationship, Barack Obama should offer his support to the islanders, writes Jim Sensenbrenner.
Thursday, March 15th 2012 - 06:16 UTC
Uruguay peacekeepers in Sinai surrounded by protesting Bedouins

Uruguay said Wednesday a contingent of its soldiers serving as peacekeepers in the Sinai have been trapped in their base by Bedouins demanding the release of four colleagues imprisoned in Egypt.
Thursday, March 15th 2012 - 06:12 UTC
Uruguay upsets Argentina in rugby which lost its first ever South American Cup

While Brazil's women maintained their perfect record in regional competition, Uruguay's men scored a huge upset by winning their first CONSUR rugby title, beating Argentina in the final 17-14 with a try on the siren.
Thursday, March 15th 2012 - 06:09 UTC
IMF confirms closing offices in Mongolia, Lebanon and G-20 member Argentina

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will close its Buenos Aires office in protest to Domestic Trade Secretary Guillermo Moreno’s decision to accuse the organization in court, urging it to explain how it calculates Argentina’s inflation rate, sources said.
Thursday, March 15th 2012 - 06:07 UTC
YPF survival battle to remain private took off in two Patagonian provinces

The governments of the Patagonian provinces of Chubut and Santa Cruz announced the termination of the contract of exploitation of four different oil wells that YPF handles in the Gulf San Jorge and that both provinces share. Spain’s Repsol, the oil giant that controls YPF has announced it will file a lawsuit against the measure.
Thursday, March 15th 2012 - 03:24 UTC
Chile/UK respect ‘legitimate differences’ but say NO to a blockade of the Faklands

Foreign Office minister Jeremy Browne and Chilean Foreign Affairs Minister Alfredo Moreno agreed to respect their legitimate differences regarding the Argentine/UK dispute over the Falklands’ sovereignty but also emphasized the Chilean (and other Mercosur members) position contrary to an economic blockade of the Islands or isolating its population.