Politics

Thursday, December 31st 2015 - 07:31 UTC
Chile's Bachelet waiting for the year to end: 2015 has been the worst in her political history

It has been a bad year, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet told a Santiago newspaper this week, admitting that corruption scandals have sapped confidence in the country's institutions while sparking a reform drive that should bear fruit going forward.
Wednesday, December 30th 2015 - 14:10 UTC
Two ex ministers with prison sentences for Buenos Aires train accident that killed 51 and injured 789

An Argentine court handed down prison sentences of up to nine years for those charged in the February 2012 train accident in Buenos Aires that killed 51 people and injured more than 700.
Wednesday, December 30th 2015 - 02:24 UTC
Russian polar vessel and helicopters will supply Argentine Antarctica bases

For the eighth season, Argentina's Antarctic bases and stations are to be supplied by the Russian polar vessel Vasily Golovnin from Arkadia Ltd. This has been going on since 2007 when the Argentine flagship ice-breaker Almirante Irizar caught fire in the high seas and is still in repairs waiting for the necessary funds.
Wednesday, December 30th 2015 - 00:51 UTC
Dismal prospects for Brazilian economy in 2016, according to Central bank and budget deficit

Analysts expect Brazil's economy to contract by 2.81% in 2016 after contracting by 3.70% this year, marking the biggest drop in economic output in 25 years, the Central Bank said on Monday. Economists are forecasting an inflation rate of 10.72% this year, the highest rate in 13 years, and 6.86% in 2016. The estimates seem to be supported by the latest numbers referred to the budget deficit.
Wednesday, December 30th 2015 - 00:46 UTC
Petrobras corruption 'net' involves Norwegian companies, claim Oslo media

The huge corruption case swirling around Brazilian oil company Petrobras is being called the world’s largest, and increasing numbers of Norwegian companies seem to be getting tangled up in it. Norwegian bosses mostly claim no knowledge of any bribes being paid, but investigations are underway on several fronts.
Tuesday, December 29th 2015 - 23:56 UTC
Majority of Spaniards against a re-run of election; only 7% would change their vote says poll

Less than one third of Spaniards want a re-run of 20 December's election, which resulted in a stalemate, with two-thirds favoring a pact between parties, a poll showed. Just 7% of those surveyed said they would change their votes in a fresh election, while 87.1% said they would vote the same way.
Tuesday, December 29th 2015 - 08:23 UTC
JPMorgan-Chase describes Macri's Argentina as “a ray of sunshine” in the region

A growing number of foreign investors are signaling interest in Argentina following the pro-market turn that newly-inaugurated President Mauricio Macri started showing since taking office. The latest financial player to endorse the country as a promising investment destination was JP Morgan Chase, the largest bank in the United States, where current Finance Minister Alfonso Prat-Gay worked in the past.
Tuesday, December 29th 2015 - 08:07 UTC
Israel pressing Brazil to accept pro-settler activist as its ambassador

Brazil’s reluctance to accept an Argentine born pro-settler politician as Israeli ambassador has triggered a diplomatic clash and concerns it could seriously damage future relations between the two countries.
Tuesday, December 29th 2015 - 07:46 UTC
New five-year strategy for South Georgia emphasizes environment management

The new five-year Strategy for South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands 2016-2020 was published on 27th November. The Strategy sets out an ambitious agenda to deliver the highest standards of environmental stewardship and governance for the British Overseas Territory, according to the latest South Georgia Newsletter.
Monday, December 28th 2015 - 13:49 UTC
Unions challenge Macri's government over review of public-sector contracts

Argentina's two largest state workers unions have warned they will be carrying out a strike on December 29 as a response to president Mauricio Macri's government vow to review public-sector contracts.