Stories for May 2015

Tuesday, May 12th 2015 - 10:41 UTC
In Chile when in difficulties turn right: former IMF deputy chief Finance minister

In a move which has been interpreted as a right turn, economist Rodrigo Valdes was named as Chile's finance minister on Monday by President Michelle Bachelet, in a sweeping cabinet reshuffle in which four of her closest ministers were sacked or shifted into other roles. On Valdes' immediate to-do list is an upcoming 1.26 billion dollars international debt issue.
Tuesday, May 12th 2015 - 10:30 UTC
Ex US president Carter ends Guyana election monitoring trip after falling ill

Former United States President Jimmy Carter ended an election-monitoring trip to Guyana early and flew home on Sunday after falling ill, the Carter Center, his nonprofit organization, said in a statement. The Carter Center provided only sketchy information on Sunday about the condition of the 90-year-old former president.
Tuesday, May 12th 2015 - 08:51 UTC
Guyana voting in early election to end Executive/Legislative standoff

Guyana voted Monday in early elections pitting embattled President Donald Ramotar against an upstart opposition alliance seeking to unite voters across racial lines with its calls to end corruption.
Tuesday, May 12th 2015 - 08:43 UTC
Obama approves oil drilling in the Arctic Sea under certain conditions

President Barack Obama's administration on Monday approved petroleum giant Shell's request to begin drilling for oil and gas in the Arctic Sea under certain conditions, despite opposition from environmental groups.
Tuesday, May 12th 2015 - 06:25 UTC
Argentina reacts to hedge funds attempt to block a fresh debt emission

Argentina has launched a stinging attack on hedge funds attempting to block payment on last month's Bonar 24 debt issuance, stating that the petition shows the 'vulture funds' desperation following the successful auction.
Tuesday, May 12th 2015 - 06:18 UTC
Hollande in Havana ratifies support for Cuba and an end to the US embargo

French President Francois Hollande has urged an end to the US trade embargo of Cuba and envisioned a larger French role in Cuba's engagement with the West during the first visit by a French head of state to Cuba. Havana is in foreign policy talks with both the European Union and the United States amid intense world interest in Cuba following detente with Washington in December.
Tuesday, May 12th 2015 - 06:12 UTC
Chile's renews 'explicit' support for Argentina's Falklands/Malvinas claim

The Chilean government has renewed its 'explicit' support for Argentina's sovereignty claims over the Falklands/Malvinas Islands, according to Daniel Filmus, the Argentine official head of the special department for affairs relative to the Malvinas Islands, who is currently in a political tour in Santiago.
Tuesday, May 12th 2015 - 06:05 UTC
Argentine presidential election next 25 October and run-off 22 November

The Argentina government formally announced on Monday the primary and national elections calendar, which for the first time includes direct vote for representatives to the Mercosur parliament. Simultaneous primaries will be held on 9 August while the presidential election on 25 October.
Monday, May 11th 2015 - 10:33 UTC
Sei whales found dead in southern Chile: red tide or virus suspected death cause

More than 20 whales were found dead and rotting along a rocky coast of southern Chile, maritime officials said, as they tried to determine what killed them and when. The whales, discovered beached north of the Gulf of Penas, measured about 10 meters long, according to officials with Chile's national fisheries service.
Monday, May 11th 2015 - 10:21 UTC
Castro praises Francis and promises “to turn to the Church again if the pope continues on this vein”

Cuban President Raul Castro has praised Pope Francis for brokering the restoration of relations between Cuba and the US, announced in December. At the end of a Sunday audience at the Vatican, Castro said he had thanked the Pope for his contribution for the historic rapprochement.