Politics

• Tuesday, September 22nd 2015 - 10:14 UTC

  With mediation of Uruguay and Ecuador border Colombia / Venezuela reopens

  

  Colombia and Venezuela have agreed to restore diplomatic dialogue and oversee “progressive normalization” of their border, after a meeting between Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and his counterpart Nicolas Maduro.

• Tuesday, September 22nd 2015 - 08:07 UTC

  Pope will celebrate last mass in Cuba on Tuesday before flying to the US

  

  Pope Francis has celebrated mass in front of thousands of people in the eastern Cuban city of Holguin. During his homily, he paid tribute to the “efforts” and “sacrifices” the Roman Catholic Church has made in Cuba.

• Tuesday, September 22nd 2015 - 07:53 UTC

  Former treasurer of Brazil's ruling party sentenced to 15 years in prison over Petrobras corruption

  

  The former treasurer of Brazil's ruling party was sentenced Monday to more than 15 years in prison for his role in a massive corruption scandal at state oil giant Petrobras. The judge investigating the scandal found Joao Vaccari, who was the Workers Party treasurer until April, guilty of “corruption, money-laundering and conspiracy,” and sentenced him to 15 years and four months.

• Tuesday, September 22nd 2015 - 07:40 UTC

  Brazil/Israel spat over ambassador candidate, spearhead of settlements in the West Bank

  

  Israeli Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Hotovely defended the appointment of former settlements' department director, Dani Dayan, as the Jewish state's ambassador in Brazil, after it was rejected by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

• Tuesday, September 22nd 2015 - 07:15 UTC

  Which lawmakers from the Pacific Alliance are paid the most?

  

  Of all four Pacific Alliance countries, Colombia spends most on its congressional representatives, despite the South American country’s low wages. According to a report published on Monday by economic newspaper La Republica, the state pays Colombia’s congressmen a total of nearly $2.1 million per month in salaries, almost double the total of Chile, whose congressmen have the highest individual salaries, but in total cost the state $1.2 million per month.

• Tuesday, September 22nd 2015 - 06:49 UTC

  Brazil's Real at almost four to the US dollar; 70% weaker in the last 12 months

  

  Brazil’s currency closed on Monday at the weakest level ever against the dollar as raging economic and political situations increased uncertainty and the odds of the country losing its investment-grade credit rating from yet another ratings company, which could be catastrophic.

• Tuesday, September 22nd 2015 - 06:02 UTC

  The British Pavilion at the Expo Prado 2015: Best in Show

  

  More than 75,000 people visited the British Pavilion at the Expo Prado 2015 -the largest agro-industrial exhibition in Uruguay. The Pavilion was awarded first prize in the category “Best Embassy and Chamber of Commerce Pavilion” by the Uruguayan Rural Association, organisers of the Expo.

• Tuesday, September 22nd 2015 - 05:52 UTC

  Argentina: Double celebration for Kirchnerism, in Chaco and Tucuman provinces

  

  Double victory for Cristina Fernandez and the 'Kirchnerite' model: her candidates won the governorship in the northern province of Chaco and the Tucuman Supreme Court validated the result which confirmed that former Healthcare minister Juan Manzur last 23 August was the clear winner and the next governor of the province.

• Monday, September 21st 2015 - 08:34 UTC

  Argentina's top Electoral Court announces measures or ensure transparency

  

  After considering the proposals made by opposition parties and NGOs, and “irregularities” during the recent election for governor in the province of Tucumán, Argentina's top electoral court has announced more than 20 measures aimed at reinforcing the transparency of the October 25 general elections.

• Monday, September 21st 2015 - 08:07 UTC

  Francis meets Fidel Castro and warns Cubans of the dangers of ideology

  

  Pope Francis met Cuba's revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on Sunday hours after warning Cubans to beware the dangers of ideology and the lure of selfishness as the island enters a new era of closer ties with the United States. Latin America's first pope and Castro, the region's last surviving revolutionary icon of the 20th century, discussed religion and world affairs at the home of the 89-year-old retired president for about 40 minutes.