Politics

Friday, July 17th 2015 - 06:57 UTC
Comparing FIFA to the mafia “is almost insulting to the mafia”. US Senate grills soccer federation

Comparing FIFA to the mafia is “almost insulting to the mafia”, a US senator said, turning up the heat on football's corruption-tainted world governing body to reform. Richard Blumenthal made the remark at a Senate subcommittee hearing scrutinizing FIFA, after US authorities in May indicted 14 people - including top football officials over tens of millions of dollars of alleged bribes for media rights contracts.
Friday, July 17th 2015 - 06:19 UTC
Argentine economy showing slight improvement but still delicate, says IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) slightly improved its outlook on Argentina’s economy saying the country will grow 0.1% in 2015 and will remain stagnant in 2016. Nevertheless, IMF warned the country is going through a “very delicate” situation and insisted that the improved outlook doesn’t change its views regarding Argentina.
Friday, July 17th 2015 - 06:01 UTC
Yellen says Fed remains on track to raise interest rates this year

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said the US central bank remains on track to raise interest rates this year, with labor markets expected to steadily improve and turmoil abroad unlikely to throw the US economy off track.
Friday, July 17th 2015 - 05:49 UTC
“Sea for Bolivia” and “Malvinas for Argentina” pledges president Evo Morales

Bolivian president Evo Morales defended his claim of “sea for Bolivia” and “Malvinas for Argentina”, during the last of his two-day very militant visit to Argentina before flying late Thursday to Brazil for the Mercosur summit.
Friday, July 17th 2015 - 05:28 UTC
Argentine Judge who ordered a raid of Cristina Fernandez's businesses, was removed

An Argentine judge who on Monday ordered a raid of real estate offices belonging to the son of President Cristina Fernandez, on an ongoing probe into money laundering and tax elusion, was removed from the case on Thursday. A Federal court ruled the nullity of the order issued by Judge Claudio Bonadio after a presentation by Romina Mercado, niece of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and who also happens to figure as the head of the Hotesur company under investigation.
Friday, July 17th 2015 - 04:48 UTC
Brazil's corruption scandals reach Lula da Silva: probe into influence peddling

Prosecutors in Brazil have announced a probe into possible influence peddling by former president Lula da Silva, involving the construction firm Odebrecht which is one of Latin America's largest engineering company. The investigation will center on Lula's alleged use of his clout after leaving office to help scandal-ridden construction giant Odebrecht land billion-dollar contracts in Latin America and Africa.
Thursday, July 16th 2015 - 09:28 UTC
Paraguay, as chair of the group, determined to return Mercosur to 'its roots'

Paraguay is committed to return Mercosur to 'its roots', reach an agreement on some of the original fundamentals, eliminate restrictions to inter-trade and strongly promote the trade accord with the European Union. This is scheduled to take place in the coming six months once Paraguay is handed Mercosur' chair at the group's midyear presidential summit that begins on Thursday in Brasilia.
Thursday, July 16th 2015 - 09:15 UTC
CFK and Morales unveil a 16 meters high statue of independence heroine

The presidents of Argentina and Bolivia have unveiled a statue of Bolivian war of independence heroine Juana Azurduy. The 25-ton, 16-meter-high statue replaces a controversial statue of Christopher Columbus that was taken down in 2013 after ninety years.
Thursday, July 16th 2015 - 09:13 UTC
Timerman recovering following liver surgery on Tuesday

The Austral hospital in Buenos Aires released on Wednesday an update on the health of Foreign minister Hector Timerman, revealing that the politician's recovery is on track following surgery on his liver on Tuesday.
Thursday, July 16th 2015 - 09:03 UTC
Bolivian private sector not convinces of full incorporation to Mercosur

Bolivia's incorporation as a full member of Mercosur will be addressed as of Thursday in Brasilia at the group's two-day presidential summit, an issue which could be completed by the first half of next year, despite some warnings from Bolivia's private sector.