Politics

• Monday, July 12th 2010 - 02:48 UTC

  Uruguay’s Diego Forlan, South Africa World’s Cup top individual player

  

  Diego Forlan thumped his right boot against the advertising hoarding in Suwon. The 23-year-old striker's frustration was understandable. He had just spurned a glorious chance to score for Uruguay against Senegal. It was ultimately one that cost his country a 4-3 victory and a place in the Round of 16 of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan.

• Saturday, July 10th 2010 - 07:57 UTC

  Brazil launches logo, song and campaign to promote 2014 World Cup

  

  Brazilian President Lula launched “Brazil is Calling You” campaign in Johannesburg, following South Africa officially handing over the keys to Brazil as the next host nation of the FIFA World Cup.

• Saturday, July 10th 2010 - 07:53 UTC

  African party backfires for Lula da Silva who anticipates return to Brazil

  

  Brazilian president Lula da Silva confirmed Friday he will not be present at the South Africa World Cup final on Sunday because he has urgent work in the northeast of the country ravaged by floods that has left tens dead and thousands homeless.

• Saturday, July 10th 2010 - 07:41 UTC

  US no longer world’s great consumer; needs to target sustainable debt, says IMF

  

  The US economy is recovering after the global economic crisis, but consumers and financial institutions remain cautious as weak housing markets, high unemployment, and risks in Europe remain a concern, the IMF staff said in a press conference that followed its annual review of the world’s largest economy.

• Saturday, July 10th 2010 - 07:35 UTC

  Rescued-hostage Ingrid Betancourt has sued Colombia for 6.8 million USD

  

  Colombian-French politician Ingrid Betancourt, who spent six years as a rebel hostage before being rescued, has sued the Colombian state over her kidnapping, sparking outrage from the government that freed her.

• Saturday, July 10th 2010 - 07:13 UTC

  School comic strips to depict the turbulent IMF/Argentina relation

  

  Argentina high school students are enjoying four comic strips, part of the official program, which satirizes the turbulent relation of the country with the IMF, presenting one of the works under the attractive name of “An intruder in the family”.

• Saturday, July 10th 2010 - 07:05 UTC

  Raul Castro blasts provincial leaders and praises press for exposing them

  

  Cuban president Raul Castro criticized the attitudes of national and provincial leaders who he said “lacked the moral courage to admit their shortcomings”. The remarks follow on an article from the official newspaper Granma referred to the still non concluded rehabilitation of Santiago de Cuba’s aqueduct, which Raul Castro said reveals “the lack of planning to carry out effective work that is every Cuban’s duty to the community and the revolution”.

• Saturday, July 10th 2010 - 06:58 UTC

  First woman Communist takes office as Mayor of Montevideo

  

  Montevideo’s first woman and Communist elected mayor, Ana Olivera took office on Friday promising to streamline the overweight administration of Uruguay’s capital and in six months, a spic-and-span city.

• Friday, July 9th 2010 - 05:34 UTC

  Euro zone rates unchanged; all eyes set on 23 July EU banks’ stress-tests

  

  The European Central Bank left its key interest rate on hold for the fourteenth consecutive month in July as the region's banks face stress tests to ensure the stability of the financial system that is threatened by investor fears about debt.

• Friday, July 9th 2010 - 05:29 UTC

  UK leaves rates at a record low for the 16th month running

  

  The Bank of England has kept UK interest rates on hold at a record low of 0.5% for the 16th consecutive month. The Bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) also decided on Thursday not to inject any more money into the economy under its policy of quantitative easing (QE).