Latin America

• Thursday, March 27th 2014 - 08:07 UTC

  Brazil lower house approves internet legislation to ensure privacy and neutrality

  

  The lower house of Brazil’s Congress has approved legislation meant to ensure the privacy of Internet users and to guarantee what is called “Internet neutrality”, that all content be treated equally by carriers. But it dropped a demand that all data on Brazilians be saved within the country.

• Wednesday, March 26th 2014 - 05:41 UTC

  UK universities delegates visit Chile for closer education and scientific research links

  

  High level delegates from twelve British universities visited Chile the week of 17 March to deepen their partnerships with the country, becoming the first large international education delegation to visit under the new Chilean government of President Michelle Bachelet.

• Tuesday, March 25th 2014 - 09:06 UTC

  Argentina ready to sign for the Israeli Kfir Block 60 fighter aircraft

  

  Argentina is advancing in negotiations with Israel for the purchase of the multi-purpose combat aircraft Kfir Block 60, which is supposed to replace the aging Mirage III, on service for over four decades.

• Tuesday, March 25th 2014 - 08:59 UTC

  Brazil militarizes favelas in Rio do Janeiro to guarantee 'law and order'

  

  The Brazilian government announced on Monday, 80 days before the start of the 2014 World Cup, that the military will help occupy several “favelas,” or shantytowns, in Rio de Janeiro to guarantee security in an area currently controlled by violent drug trafficking outfits where some 100,000 people live.

• Tuesday, March 25th 2014 - 08:51 UTC

  S&P downgrades Brazil’s sovereign debt rating to BBB minus

  

  Standard & Poor's cut Brazil's sovereign debt rating closer to speculative territory in a blow to President Dilma Rousseff administration. Brazil had its long-term debt rating downgraded to BBB minus, the agency's lowest investment-grade rating. S&P changed its outlook to stable from negative, meaning further downgrades are unlikely for now, which will come as a relief for both politicians in Brasilia and financial markets.The move was widely expected but the timing surprised some investors.

• Monday, March 24th 2014 - 07:03 UTC

  Chilean police cuts short mass protest that turned violent

  

  A mass protest was cut short in Santiago, Chile, after police dispersed activists with tear gas and water cannon. According to protest organizers over 150,000 people had gathered in the city center to urge newly-elected President Michelle Bachelet to push ahead with her reform program.

• Monday, March 24th 2014 - 07:00 UTC

  Venezuela's state prosecutor says security forces have 'committed excesses'

  

  Venezuela's top state prosecutor has affirmed that security forces had committed “excesses” in breaking up nearly two months of opposition protests against the government of President Nicolas Maduro that have left at least 34 dead

• Saturday, March 22nd 2014 - 08:01 UTC

  The Falklands/Malvinas: Brazil’s next regional headache?

  

  By Oliver Stuenkel (*) - Brazil, foreign policy observers often point out, is blessed. Contrary to many other emerging powers such as China or India, it is located in a region that rarely experiences interstate tension or war. Not only can Brazil live on a relatively small defense budget, while India is the world's largest arms importer. Brazil can also dedicate considerable time and energy towards extending its global diplomatic reach without constantly being forced to deal with trouble in its neighborhood.

• Saturday, March 22nd 2014 - 07:31 UTC

  Mercosur and EU in another effort to advance in the long delayed trade agreement

  

  Mercosur and European Union chief negotiators met on Friday in Brussels to define if conditions are ready for the exchange of tariffs reductions proposals with the purpose of reaching an ambitious trade agreement which was started back in 1999 and has yet to mature.

• Saturday, March 22nd 2014 - 07:11 UTC

  Falklands' prosperity and economic boom surprises visiting Brazilian delegation

  

  Visiting Brazilian political advisor and environmentalist Eduardo Viola emphatically expressed support for the Falkland Islands’ right of self-determination during a press conference in Stanley with other visiting Brazilian colleagues, reports this week's edition of Penguin News.