Stories for May 25th 2015

Monday, May 25th 2015 - 08:00 UTC
Brazil/Uruguay expect Paraguay to join in speeding Mercosur/EU negotiations

Uruguay will be hosting Paraguayan president Horacio Cartes in early June when he is expected to confirm' his country's support to Uruguay and Brazil in their renewed approach to accelerate negotiations for the signing of a full cooperation and free trade agreement with the European Union, which were started fifteen years ago.
Monday, May 25th 2015 - 07:47 UTC
Spaniards are furious and 'traditional parties' get beaten in regional elections

Spain's ruling People's Party (PP) took a battering on Sunday's regional and local elections after voters punished Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy for four years of severe spending cuts and a string of corruption scandals. In a test of the national mood ahead of general elections expected in November, the PP suffered its worst result in more than 20 years to herald an uncertain era of coalition as new parties rose to fragment the vote.
Monday, May 25th 2015 - 07:38 UTC
Cristina Fernandez leads ceremony returning San Martin's saber to the National History Museum

President Cristina Fernandez led a ceremony on Sunday where the National History Museum received, after 48 years, the saber that belonged to Argentina's Liberator General José de San Martín currently at the Mounted Grenadiers Regiment.
Monday, May 25th 2015 - 07:32 UTC
Pope Francis lashes out at football hooligans and certain Argentine politicians

Pope Francis has spoken out against the problem of violence in football, criticizing the role of hooligan groups within the game while admitting that he felt “used” by certain politicians in Argentina.
Monday, May 25th 2015 - 07:25 UTC
Jailed Venezuelan opposition leaders declare themselves on hunger strike

Jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez has declared himself on hunger strike and called for a protest march next weekend against Venezuela's populist government. Lopez, the best-known opposition activist in custody, was jailed more than a year ago for his role in instigating street protests against President Nicolas Maduro that led to violence killing 43 people and injuring hundreds more.
Monday, May 25th 2015 - 07:21 UTC
Mexico compensates China for cancelling high-speed rail contract

Mexico will compensate China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) $1.31m for cancelling a $3.75bn high-speed rail contract. CRCC was at the head of a consortium that had won the project last year, which was abruptly revoked shortly after being awarded.
Monday, May 25th 2015 - 07:12 UTC
Iconic London 2012 Games symbol decorates Rio 2016 Olympics Park

The most iconic symbol of the Olympic Games is decorating the city for the Rio 2016 Games. City Hall has installed giant Olympic Rings in Madureira Park, ahead of the largest sporting event in the world.
Monday, May 25th 2015 - 06:55 UTC
FIFA Election: ITUC back Prince Ali on human rights commitments

The International trade Union Confederation is calling on FIFA delegates to support Jordan’s Prince Ali in this week’s election for FIFA President, following Ali’s re-affirmed commitment on labour and other human rights. The other two challengers to incumbent Joseph Blatter, Luis Figo and Michael van Praag have withdrawn from the race.
Monday, May 25th 2015 - 06:46 UTC
Gibraltarians will be able to vote in UK's referendum on ties with European Union

Gibraltarians will be able to vote in Britain’s referendum on whether to sever ties with the European Union. The franchise for referendum, promised by Prime Minister David Cameron by the end of 2017, will be based on that for a UK general election - meaning Irish, Maltese and Cypriots resident in the UK will get a vote, but other EU citizens will not.
Monday, May 25th 2015 - 06:25 UTC
Bachelet underlines close economic and political ties of Chile with China

Chile and China have enjoyed a positive and fruitful relationship and bilateral ties will further develop very strongly in the future, anticipated Chilean President Michelle Bachelet during an interview with Xinhua prior to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's upcoming visit