
Argentine state-controlled energy company YPF said it signed a memorandum of understanding Wednesday with China's Sinopec pertaining to the eventual development of conventional and non-conventional oil and gas projects in Patagonia.

With the triumph on Sunday in Greece of the Syriza anti austerity party, Spain's version, Podemos under the leadership of Pablo Iglesias, and ahead in the opinion polls for the next national election, celebrated and addressed the issue of Gibraltar saying relations between the Rock and neighboring La Línea should not fall victim to political opportunism.

In a documentary that aired recently on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's popular The Fifth Estate program, an allegory of Vladimir Putin was presented. The wily Russian president was described growing up in a shabby St. Petersburg apartment, where he would often corner rats.

Greece’s election has sent shockwaves throughout Europe and especially Germany. The Euro zone’s biggest economy and paymaster has reluctantly footed a big bill for bailing out Greece and other euro members, extending financial aid in return for strict and unpopular austerity measures.

At the request of New Zealand, INTERPOL Purple Notices have been issued to seek information on the individuals and networks behind three vessels fishing illegally in the Southern Ocean.

Dutch FA chief Michael Van Praag is to challenge Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency. The 67-year-old says he has “at least” five nominations from FIFA’s 209 member federations to become an official candidate after the Jan. 29 deadline for submissions.

A new polar research vessel is currently being designed for the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). The new vessel will be an ice-capable, multi-role polar research and logistics ship which will be used to conduct science and to resupply the BAS stations such as the two in South Georgia, according to the latest South Georgia Newsletter.

States took a major step toward urgently needed ocean protection at the United Nations over the weekend agreeing to develop a legally binding agreement to conserve marine life in the high seas. After four days of deliberations States reached consensus to begin negotiating the first UN treaty that specifically addresses the protection of marine life in an area covering half the planet – those ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Iran’s charge d'affairs in Buenos Aires Ahmad Reza Kheirmand denied the existence of the “parallel diplomacy” denounced by deceased AMIA special prosecutor Alberto Nisman who accused the Kirchnerite administration of plotting to cover up the 1994 attack on the Jewish community centre.

Journalist for the Buenos Aires Herald.com Damian Pachter, who left Argentina on Saturday morning after claiming he feared for his life, has confirmed that he has arrived in Tel Aviv, Israel after flying from Buenos Aires.