Politics

Thursday, December 27th 2012 - 05:49 UTC
China’s Industrial and Commercial bank, authorized to open a branch in Brazil

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd, the world's largest lender by market value, got the green light from Brazilian regulators to operate a subsidiary in the Latin America's largest economy, the lender said on Wednesday. Brazil's central bank approved the license on Dec 19.
Thursday, December 27th 2012 - 05:45 UTC
Venezuela opposition leader says Chavez not obliged to take the oath 10 January

The Venezuelan government and opposition coincide that it is possible to postpone the oath taking ceremony of President Hugo Chavez, which according to the constitution should take place on 10 January, if the re-elected leader is still in Cuba recovering from his fourth cancer operation.
Thursday, December 27th 2012 - 05:39 UTC
Timerman meets with Jewish community to report on talks with Iran

Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman met with the relatives of victims of the Buenos Aires 1994 AMIA Jewish center bombing to update them on negotiations with Iran. The update came three months after Timerman's first public meeting with his Iranian counterpart.
Thursday, December 27th 2012 - 05:31 UTC
Unasur observers will attend Paraguay election scheduled for next April

Representatives from Unasur confirmed that they will be present to follow the April 2013 general elections in Paraguay, reported the spokesperson for the country’s Superior Electoral Justice Tribunal, TSJE.
Thursday, December 27th 2012 - 02:52 UTC
Brazil raises minimum wage and lowers taxes on share earnings

Brazil's government announced on Monday it would raise the statutory monthly minimum wage by an above-inflation 9% to 678 Reais (330 US dollars) a month, a rise that comes at the end of a year of tepid economic growth.
Thursday, December 27th 2012 - 02:47 UTC
Argentine government blasts farmers’ strike who are considering further actions

Argentine Agriculture and Livestock Minister Norberto Yauhar accused farmers who organized what proved to be a very effective 24 hours livestock trading strike on Wednesday, of responding to ‘political interests’. The farmers’ Liaison Board said they are considering extending the protest to other economic activities.
Thursday, December 27th 2012 - 02:38 UTC
“Uruguay needs leaders in government, not demagogues” says transport businessman

The country “needs leaders in government, not demagogues” said Juan Carlos López Mena a leading businessman of Uruguay’s tourism and transport industry who is also investing heavily in agriculture and an incipient regional airline.
Wednesday, December 26th 2012 - 06:53 UTC
Falklands’ share Norway’s oil wealth fund and port infrastructure experience

Though plagued with flu and taking place largely in darkness, the recent visit to Norway by Members of the Legislative Assembly and senior government officials appears to have produced encouraging results and shone some light on possible developments in the Falkland Islands, according to MLA Dick Sawle.
Wednesday, December 26th 2012 - 06:35 UTC
Life sentence for Argentine civilian minister who worked with the military dictatorship

An Argentine federal court handed down life sentences on Dec. 19 to former Buenos Aires province interior minister Jaime Smart (1976-1979), former Buenos Aires province police investigations director Miguel Osvaldo Etchecolatz and 14 former police and military personnel for genocide and crimes against humanity in the cases of 280 people detained during the 1976-1983 “dirty war” against suspected leftists.
Wednesday, December 26th 2012 - 06:16 UTC
UK Parliament addresses disruption of Falklands’ shipping and tourism by Argentina

The disruption of shipping and tourism in Argentina and the Falkland Islands reached the British Parliament and was addressed by Foreign Office officials who said the UK regrets the Argentine attitude but is also holding talks with international partners that share concerns about illegitimate interferences, and with the cruise industry.