International

• Friday, June 24th 2011 - 18:33 UTC

  China readies its first carrier, “a symbol of a great nation”

  

  Chinese military officials have confirmed that the country is completing work on its first aircraft carrier, based on the hull of Russian carrier Varyag.

• Friday, June 24th 2011 - 11:07 UTC

  Britain says Brazil has the best science base outside the G8

  

  The UK said that Brazil has the best science base outside the G8, and Brazil’s state-controlled oil and gas giant Petrobras CEO Jose Sergio Gabrielli predicted that his country will shortly become the world's largest market for deep offshore oceanic hydrocarbon exploration equipment.

• Friday, June 24th 2011 - 10:59 UTC

  Brazil and Spain, leading candidates for next head of FAO

  

  Brazilian and Spanish candidates are leading the field for the Sunday June 26 upcoming election for the next head of the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, the UN agency leading the struggle against global hunger.

• Friday, June 24th 2011 - 00:02 UTC

  Russian meats market paralyzed; Uruguay and Brazil exports affected

  

  The Russian market which has been the main buyer of Uruguayan beef helping to boost cattle prices has virtually ceased operations according to Uruguayan exporters who claim deals are limited to small shipments of livers and tongues.

• Thursday, June 23rd 2011 - 23:19 UTC

  Release of strategic reserves (to counter Libya’s absence) rattles world oil market

  

  Oil rose in New York, recovering from a plunge sparked by an International Energy Agency announcement that its members will release crude from strategic reserves.

• Thursday, June 23rd 2011 - 22:49 UTC

  Former IMF head admits to made many silly mistakes and errors with Argentina

  

  Former managing director of the IMF, Michel Camdessus admitted Thursday in Buenos Aires that during his time working for the organization, they 'made many mistakes with Argentina,' particularly highlighting the 90s.

• Thursday, June 23rd 2011 - 18:04 UTC

  G20 farm ministers agree to boost output and food market transparency

  

  The G20 farm ministers’ summit in Paris agreed on Thursday measures to tackle high food prices in a deal that steered clear of divisive details and paved the way to greater international cooperation on sensitive agricultural issues.

• Thursday, June 23rd 2011 - 18:01 UTC

  Italy’s Dragui confirmed at the next president of the European Central Bank

  

  The European Parliament formally endorsed on Thursday Italy's Mario Draghi to be the next president of the European Central Bank. European Union leaders are expected to give their formal backing to the appointment at a summit allowing Draghi, 63, to take over as head of the bank when Jean-Claude Trichet steps down at the end of October.

• Thursday, June 23rd 2011 - 09:10 UTC

  “Cork” of lava threatens new explosion at Puyehue volcano warns Chile

  

  Chilean experts warned Wednesday that a “cork” of lava could lead to another explosion at the Puyehue volcano, which has caused major flight disruptions from Argentina to Australia.

• Thursday, June 23rd 2011 - 08:58 UTC

  A Uruguayan debt ‘profiling’, an option to help Greece avoid defaulting

  

  With Greece on the precipice of financial collapse and a full Euro confidence crisis looming while EU leaders can’t agree on the next steps, the example of Uruguay in 2002/03 stands out as a successful smart way out of the crisis that spilt over from neighbouring Argentina.