Stories for June 2012

Thursday, June 21st 2012 - 17:52 UTC
UK to reopen embassy in Paraguay and new embassy in Haiti

Following on the UK policy to establish closer ties with Latin America, Foreign Secretary William Hague has announced plans to re-open the British Embassy in Paraguay and a new British Embassy in Haiti.
Thursday, June 21st 2012 - 16:42 UTC
Uruguay/Argentina agree to 3-month hake ban in the shared maritime zone

Argentina and Uruguay agreed a ban on hake catching in the shared maritime zone beginning next July first, confirmed on Thursday Uruguayan Aquatic Resources Department (Dinara) sources.
Thursday, June 21st 2012 - 16:35 UTC
Urgent meeting of Unasur leaders to address the Paraguayan situation

Unasur presidents attending the Rio+20 summit met urgently on Thursday to analyze the current political situation in Paraguay where President Fernando Lugo is facing political impeachment following a land eviction incident that killed 17 peasants and policemen.
Thursday, June 21st 2012 - 15:56 UTC
Paraguayan president faces impeachment following 17 killings in land eviction incident

Paraguay's opposition-controlled lower house of Congress voted today to start impeachment proceedings against President Fernando Lugo following a land eviction in which 17 police and peasant farmers were killed last week.
Thursday, June 21st 2012 - 15:53 UTC
Argentina running out of fuel; strikers challenge Cristina Fernandez and rally at Plaza de Mayo

Argentina is on the verge of a possible oil national and gas shortage within the next few hours as the teamsters three day strike knocks out refineries distribution in spite of the government’s decision to fine the union and file charges against the leaders of the mobilization.
Thursday, June 21st 2012 - 09:48 UTC
Inclusive Wealth Indicator, with human capital data, discussed at Rio+20

A new index that measures a nation's wealth by taking into account factors such as natural resources, social stability and wellbeing, has painted Colombia and Venezuela in a very different light to that suggested by their GDP (gross domestic product) — the traditional measure of a country's success.
Thursday, June 21st 2012 - 06:29 UTC
Ban Ki-moon at Rio+20: “the old model for economic and social development is broken”

More than 100 Heads of State and government gathered on Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro for the start of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), which seeks to shape new policies to promote global prosperity, reduce poverty and advance social equity and environmental protection.
Thursday, June 21st 2012 - 06:23 UTC
Rio+20: Development banks to invest 175bn dollars in sustainable transport

The eight largest multilateral development banks (MDBs) announced on Wednesday at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20, that they will invest 175 billion dollars in sustainable transportation systems over the coming decade.
Thursday, June 21st 2012 - 06:17 UTC
Cristina Fernandez forced to return to address a three-day teamsters strike

As Argentine president Cristina Fernandez was landing in Buenos Aires Wednesday night cutting short her international tour, Gendarmerie forces were clashing with striking teamsters at a major fuel refinery which is vital for the supply of gas to the province of Buenos Aires.
Thursday, June 21st 2012 - 06:08 UTC
Bachelet calls for transitional measures to boost number of female lawmakers

Chile should bring in “transitional measures” to boost the number of female lawmakers, said former President Michelle Bachelet, who heads the United Nations body charged with empowering women.