Politics

• Wednesday, March 16th 2016 - 06:36 UTC

  Lula da Silva on the run ready o accept position in cabinet; markets and Real collapse on the news

  

  Brazil's ex-president Lula da Silva will accept a position in his successor's cabinet, according to a leading national newspaper, in order to protect himself from prosecution in a corruption case involving the state-run oil company, Petrobras. Rio-based O Globo newspaper reported on Tuesday that Lula had told several close advisers that he would rejoin the cabinet, citing no sources. Brazilian markets and currency collapsed on the news.

• Wednesday, March 16th 2016 - 06:05 UTC

  Argentina sinks Chinese jigger which refused to stop and even tried to ram the patrol vessel

  

  Argentina's coast guard has sunk a Chinese flagged jigger that was fishing illegally within its territorial waters, the coast guard said on Tuesday, marking a first test for relations between President Mauricio Macri and Beijing.In a high-seas chase, a coast guard vessel pursued the fishing vessel Lu Yan Yuan Yu 010 toward international waters, firing warning shots across the Chinese boat's bow as it attempted to raise the crew by radio.

• Tuesday, March 15th 2016 - 05:06 UTC

  Lula prepared to accept a ministry to avoid arrest, according to Brazil's leading media

  

  Former Brazilian leader Lula da Silva has accepted a key ministerial role in President Dilma Rousseff's government, leading media in Sao Paulo have reported. Members of the governing Workers' Party say his appointment will strengthen her beleaguered administration. In becoming a minister, Lula will also have some legal protection. Allegedly the two are to meet on Tuesday in Brasilia.

• Monday, March 14th 2016 - 23:42 UTC

  World famous toothfish poaching vessel caught and destroyed in Indonesia

  

  Indonesian authorities on Monday bombed the last major ship internationally wanted for years of illegally taking toothfish from southern waters, reiterating a strong message to would-be poachers who enter the country's waters.

• Monday, March 14th 2016 - 23:36 UTC

  Argentina not planning a trade deal with the US, “it's a joint task for Mercosur”

  

  It would be 'hasty' to consider that Argentina is ready to sign a trade agreement with the United States, but in any case the issue must be addressed by Mercosur, and it's the whole group that should advance in that direction, said Argentina's foreign minister Susana Malcorra.

• Monday, March 14th 2016 - 13:17 UTC

  Queen's Commonwealth Day speech focused on inclusivity

  

  People of the Commonwealth should “support those in need” and others who “feel excluded”, the Queen said in her annual message to the association, which is focused on inclusivity. She said helping those less fortunate would be a way of embodying this year's Commonwealth theme of inclusivity.

• Sunday, March 13th 2016 - 23:17 UTC

  Mercosur/EU will exchange trade proposals in April, is announced in Argentina

  

  Mercosur and the European Union will exchange trade proposals in April, a key step for the long delayed trade and cooperation agreement between the two blocks and which has gained strength since the change of administration in Argentina with president Mauricio Macri.

• Sunday, March 13th 2016 - 22:49 UTC

  Argentina's government release of 2015 fiscal results triggers strong controversy

  

  Argentina's Finance Ministry finally released its fiscal results for the 2015 period, which showed a deficit amounting to more than 5% of GDP. The figure is likely to be subject to much controversy and discussion, as the government of president Mauricio Macri introduced new methodology to calculate its figures.

• Sunday, March 13th 2016 - 22:27 UTC

  Falklands: Mar del Plata bishop blesses “Identity Crossing” swimmers, and 250 rosaries

  

  Mar del Plata bishop Monsignor Antonio Marino met with the swimmers that are planning to cross the Falklands' sound, or “Identity Crossing”, and blessed rosaries they will be taking to the Argentine memorial in Darwin.

• Sunday, March 13th 2016 - 22:22 UTC

  Argentine bonds: US Appeals court puts on hold Judge Griesa's lifting of injunctions

  

  United States appeals court put on hold a United States District Judge Thomas Griesa ruling lifting injunctions that have restricted Argentina from paying off some debts in light of the country’s US$6.5 billion offer to settle litigation over bonds in default since 2002.