Politics

• Friday, May 7th 2010 - 00:38 UTC

  Greece Shocked by Riot Deaths; Parliament Approves Draconian Saving Reforms

  

  Greece's parliament approved Thursday the hefty cuts and reforms proposed by the government to address the country's financial crisis. Members voted 172-121 to pass the bill, which includes tax rises and cuts in pensions and public sector bonuses. Police used tear gas to disperse protestors who rallied outside. On Wednesday, three bank workers died in a petrol bomb attack as demonstrations over the planned austerity measures turned violent.

• Thursday, May 6th 2010 - 19:45 UTC

  Colombian Candidate Warns: No Peace Talks Unless Constitution is Respected

  

  Colombia’s leading presidential candidate Antanas Mockus promised that if elected president he will continue the military fight against the FARC rebels, unless the group abandons violence and kidnapping and accepts constitutional rule.

• Thursday, May 6th 2010 - 19:41 UTC

  Gay Marriage Bill: Argentine Church to Lobby More “Conservative” Senate

  

  The Argentine Catholic Church said that the Lower House ruling that approved the bill to legalize same-sex marriage is “very serious”. The Church, through its spokespersons, said that the bill “does not constitute any kind of progress” and that “it could revolutionize the concept of society and of family.”

• Thursday, May 6th 2010 - 19:34 UTC

  France Warns EC on Possible Resumption of Negotiations with Mercosur

  

  After the European Commission proposed the resumption of negotiations with Mercosur, France released a warning message to the European Commission and assured that—if the talks are reactivated—both French and European agriculture would be in danger of a potential damage.

• Thursday, May 6th 2010 - 19:32 UTC

  Spain Excludes Honduran President from Summit on Pressure from UNASUR

  

  Only days after several UNASUR (Union of South American Nations) representatives said they would not attend the Sixth Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union Summit if Honduran President Porfirio Lobo was invited, the Spanish Government has decided to exclude him from the meeting, according to sources in the Brazilian Government.

• Thursday, May 6th 2010 - 19:23 UTC

  Strong Argentine Reaction to Falklands’ Rockhopper Oil Discovery Announcement

  

  The Argentine government rejected British oil company Rockhopper Exploration's earlier announcement regarding the finding of oil in Falklands/Malvinas Islands, warning that the government “will take the necessary actions to avoid Great Britain from taking illegal possession of Argentina's non-renewable resources.”

• Thursday, May 6th 2010 - 05:23 UTC

  Gay Marriage Bill Approved in Argentine Lower House: Good Chances in the Senate

  

  Argentina's lower house passed on early Wednesday after twelve hours of debate a gay marriage bill that will now be considered by the Senate. If approved, Argentina will be among a handful in the world that allows homosexual couples to marry.

• Thursday, May 6th 2010 - 03:03 UTC

  Several UNASUR Members Could Skip Madrid Summit because of Honduras

  

  Several UNASUR member countries plan to skip the upcoming Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union Summit (EU-LAC) in Madrid if Honduran President Porfirio Lobo is invited, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa said in Buenos Aires.

• Wednesday, May 5th 2010 - 23:53 UTC

  UK Hung Parliament, 43% or Tories, 36% Anticipates The Guardian/ICM Poll

  

  All three British main parties will have reason to be disappointed if the Guardian/ICM eve-of-poll survey is reflected in election results Thursday night. The Conservatives are set to fall well short of the convincing majority that, not long ago, seemed within their grasp. Labour faces one of its lowest votes of modern times and the Liberal Democrats may fail to make their hoped-for breakthrough to second place.

• Wednesday, May 5th 2010 - 23:03 UTC

  European Farmers up in Arms Against Resumption of EU/Mercosur Talks

  

  France’s main farmers’ organization, FNSEA, called Wednesday on President Nicolas Sarkozy to pressure upon the European Community to impede the re-launching of negotiations for a free trade agreement with Mercosur