Politics

• 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 - 11:32 UTC

  Chile’s largest indigenous group, Mapuches celebrate New Year

  

  When the sun began to set on Thursday evening, the Mapuche people prepared for one of the most ancient celebrations in their history: the We-tripantu, or the New Year.

• 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 - 10:45 UTC

  Chilean officials fear Bolivia’s car amnesty program will encourage more thefts

  

  Bolivia’s government estimates that 85,000 cars will benefit from its new amnesty program that allows undocumented vehicles to register without prior paperwork. Chileans are not pleased about the path to immunity.

• Friday, June 24th 2011 - 02:41 UTC

  Summers wins Falklands MLA seat: favours strong response to Argentina and north-south links

  

  Former member of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly, Mike Summers has been voted back into the government by a substantial margin. Voting took place in Stanley on Thursday in a by-election, which saw 51% of the electorate going to the polls.

• 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 - 21:31 UTC

  Brazilian president ‘votes’ for Cristina Fernandez and anticipates re-election

  

  Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff said she is convinced of her Argentine peer Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner re-election victory next October 23. Argentina is Brazil’s main associate in Mercosur and third trade partner.

• 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 - 09:05 UTC

  Cristina Fernandez takes off with 42% vote intention and 25 points lead

  

  Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has a 42% vote intention and in some districts of the country her support soars to 70%, according to consultants Public Opinion Studies, Centre, CEOP, released on Wednesday. Similarly Cristina Fernandez has at least a 25 points lead over her closest runner up.