Stories for 2016

Wednesday, March 23rd 2016 - 05:19 UTC
Obama and Macri are scheduled to hold a first meeting late morning in Casa Rosada

President Barack Obama kicks off on Wednesday the first visit of a US president to Argentina in twenty years, and although no great announcements are expected it will be a great boost to Mauricio Macri's three month administration, his bold economic reforms and effective efforts to reinsert Argentina in the world.
Wednesday, March 23rd 2016 - 04:07 UTC
Falklands/Malvinas not included in Obama/Macri agenda, says Malcorra

Argentine president Mauricio Macri will not bring up the issue of the Falkland/Malvinas Islands during his meetings with visiting president Barack Obama, much less request his mediation in the dispute, according to foreign minister Susana Malcorra.
Wednesday, March 23rd 2016 - 02:50 UTC
Cuban dissidents meet for almost two hours with Obama, including some critical of US policy

Leading Cuban dissidents, including some who have been critical of president Barack Obama's policy of engaging with the Cuban government, spent nearly two hours on Tuesday discussing human rights with the president at the US embassy. The frank meeting ended only when Obama’s aides ushered him out to reach the Estadio Latinoamericano in time for the first pitch of the Cuban national baseball team's game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Wednesday, March 23rd 2016 - 02:14 UTC
Obama magic: from Cuba next to Castro, calls for an end to US embargo and for free and democratic elections

Crowning a remarkable visit to Cuba, United States President Barack Obama on Tuesday declared an end to the “last remnant of the Cold War in the Americas” and openly urged the Cuban people to pursue a more democratic future for their nation 90 miles from Miami. He also sent a strong message to his critics back in the US.
Tuesday, March 22nd 2016 - 15:58 UTC
Unveiling China's power struggle: 'princeling' Xi pushing aside collective leadership

By Gwynne Dyer

Opening the National People's Congress in Beijing, Prime Minister Li Keqiang set China's growth target for the coming year at 6.5-7 per cent, the lowest in decades. Only two years ago, he said 7% was the lowest acceptable growth rate, but he has had to eat his words. He really isn't in charge of very much anymore.
Tuesday, March 22nd 2016 - 15:38 UTC
Argentine runner wins Falklands' Standard Chartered marathon in record time

An Argentine long distance runner has won the Falkland Islands “Standard Chartered Stanley Marathon” which is officially the World's Most Southerly AIMS-Certified Marathon. Rafael Lencina from the northern province of Tucuman completed on Sunday the 26 miles in 2 hours 35 minutes and 34 seconds, which is also a new record for the competition.
Tuesday, March 22nd 2016 - 06:25 UTC
Petrobras losses in 4Q climb to US$ 10bn; more staff cuts expected

Brazil's state-run oil company, Petrobras, reported a record quarterly loss of $10.2 billion on Monday due to a large reduction in the value of some assets amid lower oil prices. Petrobras has been at the center of a sprawling corruption scandal that has ensnared some of Brazil's most powerful lawmakers and business executives.
Tuesday, March 22nd 2016 - 02:13 UTC
Obama scheduled to address the Cuban people on national television and meet dissidents

President Barack Obama in Havana has a busy agenda scheduled for Tuesday which includes a major speech that Cuban officials said would be carried on TV. Before departing for Argentina, Obama has planned to meet with political dissidents and attend a game between Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays and Cuba's beloved national team.
Tuesday, March 22nd 2016 - 01:40 UTC
Obama and Castro agree to disagree, but determined to advance in “a new day”

Cuban President Raul Castro directly challenged President Obama on the heels of their historic meeting in Havana on Monday to lift more restrictions on the island and return land used for the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay – as the visiting U.S. president, in turn, chided the Cuban government on democracy and human rights
Tuesday, March 22nd 2016 - 01:35 UTC
“Give me the name of a political prisoner, he will be released before tonight” Castro challenges US reporter

Cuban President Raúl Castro sparred with US reporters on Monday over Cuba’s human-rights record, saying at one point that it was not fair to ask about prisoners in general and at another point that he would release by the end of the day anyone named as a political prisoner by a reporter.