
The fortune of Argentine presidential couple, President Cristina Kirchner and her immediate predecessor and husband, Nestor Kirchner jumped 20.6% in 2009 totalling the equivalent of 14.5 million US dollars, and soared 700% since they first took office in 2003, according to their latest income statements delivered to the country’s Anti Corruption Office.

Brazilian opposition presidential candidate Jose Serra strongly questioned the ‘radical’ positions of hopeful Dilma Rousseff, from the ruling Workers Party, who after publishing and signing her government program in internet was forced, just a few hours later, to make important rectifications.

A thug described as a “social grassroots leader” belonging to the Kirchner couple’s ‘black shirts’ cadres has proposed Argentina celebrate August 2 as the Day of the “Son of a b….” which is when former military dictator Jorge Rafael Videla was born.

The UK National Farmers Union, NFU and Irish Farmers' Association have expressed concern about the reopening trade talks with the Mercosur group of South American countries because of the impact it could have on farmers.

Members of the European Parliament have set out their list of demands regarding the future shape of the EU common agricultural policy (CAP), insisting that EU farm payments should not be reduced.

The European Commission underlined the significance of negotiations for an association and trade agreement with Mercosur and promised EU farmers “accompanying measures” for those sectors most affected, if a deal with the South American block is finally closes.

“The ball is now on the Argentine court” said Uruguayan Vice-president Danilo Astori commenting on the country’s counterproposal for the monitoring plan to be jointly applied with Argentina to pulp mills, other industries and urban locations straddling the shared River Uruguay.

A cricketing first takes place this July when Falkland Cricket Club (FCC) Fife will play their namesakes from Newbury Berkshire, and the Falkland Islands Cricket Association (FICA) who are travelling 8,000 miles from the South Atlantic to take part in the Festival of the Three Falklands Cricket Week.

Philippines-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) is encouraging developing economies in Asia and Pacific to boost their investment in the agriculture sector to address the widespread hunger and cushion billions of people from future spikes in food prices.

Cuba is to liberate 52 political prisoners, of the group of 75 that were condemned in 2003, who would be able to leave the country, the Cuban Catholic Church informed Wednesday in an official communiqué.