Politics

• Friday, February 28th 2014 - 02:36 UTC

  Fed asks US Congress to look into legal option for regulating virtual currencies such as bitcoin

  

  The US Congress should look into legal options for regulating virtual currencies such as bitcoin, said Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yelleny. Japan-based bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox went dark leaving customers unable to access their accounts. Experts have warned they might not have much recourse to recover their money.

• Thursday, February 27th 2014 - 04:52 UTC

  Colombia fed up with Maduro's government accusations and insults to former president

  

  Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs María Ángela Holguín complained on Wednesday about consistent verbal by the Venezuelan government on ex Colombian President Álvaro Uribe and the accusations of being the mastermind of the ongoing political crisis in Venezuela.

• Thursday, February 27th 2014 - 04:41 UTC

  Brazil raises basic interest to 10,75%; same rate as when Rousseff took office

  

  Brazil's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate Wednesday to 10.75% from 10.5%, and left the door open for more rate increases while slowing the pace of the hikes. The move continues the bank's yearlong fight against inflation even as rising interest rates and the poor performance of the country's exporters jeopardize already feeble growth in an election year.

• Thursday, February 27th 2014 - 03:21 UTC

  Russia with plans for military bases in Nicaragua, Cuba and Venezuela

  

  Russia is planning to expand its permanent military presence outside its borders by placing military bases or seeking permission for navy ships to use ports in a number of foreign countries, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Wednesday. The list includes Vietnam, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, the Seychelles, Singapore and several other countries

• Thursday, February 27th 2014 - 03:08 UTC

  Argentine social programs praised by FAO and World Bank, says government

  

  Argentina praised some of the “positive and favorable comments” by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Bank regarding the country’s social and economic agenda, regretting that “certain” media “downplay” such news.

• Thursday, February 27th 2014 - 00:31 UTC

  IMF lets fresh air in and addresses income inequality and redistribution debate

  

  Income inequality can lead to slower or less sustainable economic growth, while redistribution of income, when measured, does not hurt and can even help an economy, IMF staff found in a research study released on Wednesday. Although the study by IMF economists does not reflect the Fund's official position, it is another sign of a shift in its thinking about income disparity.

• Wednesday, February 26th 2014 - 23:13 UTC

  OAS Permanente Council special meeting on Venezuelan situation suspended

  

  The meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS), Permanent Council convened to evaluate the possibility of holding a meeting of ambassadors to address the current political situation in Venezuela, has been postponed after pressure from the Venezuelan Government, said Carlos Ponce, coordinator for the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Democracy (Redlad).

• Wednesday, February 26th 2014 - 23:04 UTC

  Falklands/Malvinas: Argentina has “no conflict hypothesis” says Defense head

  

  Minister of Defense Agustín Rossi said Argentina has no “conflict hypothesis” regarding the Falklands/Malvinas Islands, strongly denying statements from a British newspaper which argued the UK was closely monitoring Argentina's investment in military procurement.

• Wednesday, February 26th 2014 - 20:33 UTC

  Brazil farmers want a Mercosur/EU trade agreement even leaving Argentina out

  

  Brazil would like free-trade talks between the European Union and Mercosur to include Argentina, but would be prepared to proceed without its regional ally if an understanding can't be reached on March 7, according to the head of Brazil's farming confederation.

• Wednesday, February 26th 2014 - 07:16 UTC

  “Argentine Antarctica Day” celebrations with special mention of South Georgia

  

  Argentina celebrated on Tuesday 25 February, the “Argentine Antarctica Day”, which recalls the 110 years of uninterrupted presence of the country in Antarctica and included among the many activities displayed the scientific research cruise of May 2013 in waters adjoining the South Georgia islands.