Politics

Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 08:47 UTC
YPF buys a Petrobras Neuquén/Mendoza block with production of 10.000bpd

Argentina oil company YPF has bought out Brazil player Petrobras to take over full ownership of an exploration block in Neuquen and Mendoza provinces. YPF agreed to pay 40.7 million dollars for Petrobras' operatorship and 38.45% stake in the Puesto Hernandez block, cutting short a joint venture due to expire in 2016, according to the Argentina explorer.
Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 08:39 UTC
Brazil's experiences the worst January trade balance in years: 4.06bn deficit

Brazil's balance of trade began 2014 with disappointing results, after closing January with a deficit of 4.06 billion dollars, according to the figures released by the Ministry of Industry, Development and Foreign Trade. Exports totaled 16.02bn dollars, while imports reached 20.08bn.
Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 08:37 UTC
Extent of corruption in Europe is 'breathtaking' and costs at least 120bn Euros

The extent of corruption in Europe is “breathtaking” and it costs the EU economy at least 120bn Euros annually, the European Commission says. EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem has presented a full report on the problem. She said the true cost of corruption was “probably much higher” than 120bn.
Monday, February 3rd 2014 - 19:54 UTC
Spain's El Mundo editor steps down; Rajoy's administration denies any involvement

The influential founding editor of Spain’s second-biggest newspaper, El Mundo, stepped down on Thursday after a decline in circulation and a series of revelations of alleged corruption in the ruling party.
Monday, February 3rd 2014 - 19:42 UTC
Spain hassles Gibraltar on UN hazardous waste convention

The European Union is not the only place where Spain punctiliously continues to press its position on Gibraltar as a clause in every international agreement. As recently as November 2013 amendment to the Basel Convention on the control of trans-boundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal, Spain introduced, via the office of the UN Secretary General, a communication relating to the territorial application by UK to Gibraltar.
Monday, February 3rd 2014 - 19:34 UTC
Mercosur still waiting to agree on a date for the much delayed summit

Mercosur through its pro-tempore presidency under Venezuela is involved in a round of contacts to agree on the group's much delayed XLVI summit which has been postponed because of problems with 'presidents' agenda', revealed Paraguayan foreign minister Eladio Loizaga.
Saturday, February 1st 2014 - 04:58 UTC
Argentina's financial hot summer: record devaluation of the Peso, record loss of reserves

The Argentine currency ended trading on Friday, the first month of 2014, at 8.01 Pesos to the US dollar with an accumulated devaluation in January of 18.63%, the greatest loss in a single month since 2002. However market analysts described the situation as a depreciation 'sustained and managed' by the government of President Cristina Fernandez.
Saturday, February 1st 2014 - 04:54 UTC
Argentina among the least well-off economies in the region, says IMF

The economies of Argentina and Venezuela are the least well-off in the region due to pressures on inflation, the balance of payments, and foreign exchange markets that developed last year, the International Monetary Fund warned.
Saturday, February 1st 2014 - 04:40 UTC
Falklands' honors only New Zealand soldier killed during the 1982 war

Falkland Islands Member of the Legislative Assembly Mike Summers attended on Friday a wreath-laying ceremony at Palmerston, New Zealand, to honor the sacrifice of Private Richard Absolon who was the only New Zealand solider killed during the Falkland Islands war in 1982.
Saturday, February 1st 2014 - 04:27 UTC
UK and France tighten defense cooperation and military procurement

The UK and France have agreed to strengthen defense co-operation following a summit at RAF Brize Norton on Friday. A communiqué signed by UK Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande sets out plans for closer ties between the two countries.