International

• Friday, January 2nd 2015 - 05:33 UTC

  Pope calls for end to modern slavery and human trafficking in first 2015 Mass

  

  In his first mass of 2015 Pope Francis has urged people of all religions and cultures to unite to fight modern slavery and human trafficking, saying that everyone had a God-given right to be free. The service at St. Peter's Basilica marks the Roman Catholic Church's World Day of Peace. This year's theme is “No Longer Slaves, but Brothers and Sisters.”

• Friday, January 2nd 2015 - 05:19 UTC

  Venezuela takes its seat at the UN Security Council replacing Argentina

  

  As of January first Venezuela is holding a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for two years (2015-2016). In such position, the government will have to take a stance on global issues, based on its “multi-center, pluri-polar world” approach.

• Wednesday, December 31st 2014 - 05:42 UTC

  Hedge fund targets 54bn dollars in Petrobras bonds governed by US law

  

  Petrobras, Brazil's state-run oil company, could be declared in technical default on some of its foreign debt if bondholders pursue efforts to force it to speed up its assessment of losses in a giant corruption scandal, according to reports from Reuters.

• Wednesday, December 31st 2014 - 05:36 UTC

  Paraguay with record 2014 beef exports, but faces Russian situation next year

  

  Paraguay twelve-month accumulated meat and meat products exports (mostly beef) reached 1.6bn dollars according to primary information said the head of the country's National quality and health animal services, Senacasa, Hugo Idoyaga, which represents a 20% increase in value over the 1.3 bn. dollars of 2013.

• Wednesday, December 31st 2014 - 02:54 UTC

  Russia's Gazprom takes 100% control of major international gas pipeline

  

  Russia’s gas giant Gazprom said in a release on Monday it had signed a deal with Eni, Wintershall and EDF on the purchase of 50% of shares in South Stream Transport BV. Thus, Gazprom will be a 100% owner of the company.

• Wednesday, December 31st 2014 - 02:33 UTC

  Legal framework to restructure sovereign debts receives strong UN boost

  

  The U.N. General Assembly approved this week the financing of a plan to develop a new legal framework to restructure national debts, a move aimed at avoiding the kind of speculative action that led Argentina to a second default.

• Tuesday, December 30th 2014 - 08:40 UTC

  Hotel stays for New Year's Eve in Europe don't come cheap

  

  Edinburgh ranks as the most expensive city in Europe in which to spend New Year's Eve, according to a new survey from a hotel room tourism website. The survey compared 30 major European destinations based on the cost of their lodging for December 31, 2014.

• Tuesday, December 30th 2014 - 08:20 UTC

  Capitanich says Sancor to sell baby formula to China

  

  The Argentina firm joins the ranks of the international producers authorised to enter the Asian country's market.

• Tuesday, December 30th 2014 - 07:53 UTC

  Uruguay watching Russia's 'perfect storm' closely

  

  Uruguay's Economy Minister Mario Bergara and Vicepresident Danilo Astori agree on how Russia's situation will affect the South American country's trade balance and whether it may or may not have a direct impact on beef exports.

• Tuesday, December 30th 2014 - 07:49 UTC

  US dollar set aside - China, Russia trade in local currencies

  

  New financial tools come into force as buffer against vulnerability to exchange rate fluctuations.