Politics

• Wednesday, June 12th 2013 - 07:24 UTC

  Venezuela’s electoral council ratifies Maduro victory; Capriles appeals to Supreme Court

  

  Venezuela's National Electoral Council said an audit of the results of presidential elections in April confirmed President Nicolas Maduro did win by 1.5 percentage points, despite opposition claims that the vote was fraudulent.

• Wednesday, June 12th 2013 - 07:20 UTC

  China set eyes on Latam agriculture to promote cooperation and food security

  

  China is determined to strongly stimulate agriculture cooperation with Latin America to improve bilateral trade in the field, develop farming technology and improve productivity. This was the main conclusion of the recent China/Latinamerica Agriculture Cooperation Forum held in Beijing which convened over twenty Agriculture ministers from the region with host minister Han Changfu.

• Tuesday, June 11th 2013 - 21:57 UTC

  Israel and Colombia sign far reaching free trade agreement

  

  Israel and Colombia this week signed in Jerusalem a free trade treaty to increase trade and promote investments in the fields of technology. The treaty which was reached after fifteen years of intense negotiations now needs legislative approval which should be accomplished by early 2014 according to Israeli political sources.

• Monday, June 10th 2013 - 22:31 UTC

  Slower global agricultural production in next decade but prices above historic average, says FAO

  

  Global agricultural production is expected to grow 1.5% a year on average over the coming decade, compared with annual growth of 2.1% between 2003 and 2012, according to a new report published by the OECD and FAO released this week.

• Monday, June 10th 2013 - 22:01 UTC

  Ex-CIA employee leaked info “to protect basic liberties for people around the world”

  

  An ex-CIA employee has said he acted to “protect basic liberties for people around the world” in leaking details of US phone and internet surveillance. Edward Snowden, 29, was revealed as the source of the leaks at his own request by the UK's Guardian newspaper.

• Monday, June 10th 2013 - 21:43 UTC

  Bachelet pledges new legitimate, transparent constitution, plus fiscal and education reforms

  

  Former Chilean president (2006/2010) and Socialist candidate, Michelle Bachelet (61), pledged to elaborate a new constitution during her first year in office, if she is elected in the coming November presidential election.

• Monday, June 10th 2013 - 12:41 UTC

  Brazilian economy eroding Rousseff’s support, but remains favourite for 2014 election

  

  Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff's approval rating fell for the first time since her term began in January 2011 as concern about inflation and sluggish economic growth grew. Rousseff's presidency was rated as “good” or “excellent” fell to 57% from 65% in the previous poll.

• Monday, June 10th 2013 - 11:43 UTC

  Malvinas: Argentina remembers Rights reaffirmation Day and calls on UK to resume negotiations

  

  Argentina reaffirmed on Monday its “inalienable right” over the Malvinas and other South Atlantic Islands, and its “strong will to promptly restart negotiations with the United Kingdom” over the what it considers to be an “unacceptable and anachronic colonial situation”. Argentina also complains about the March referendum held in the Falklands last March.

• Saturday, June 8th 2013 - 06:25 UTC

  Venezuelan 12 month inflation reaches 35.2%; prospects of food rationing

  

  With inflation in May reaching 6.1%, the highest monthly rate in 17 years, mostly because of the shortage of basic foods, some states in Venezuela are already planning food rationing fearing the situation could worsen. The Venezuela's Central Bank released the figure on Friday.

• Saturday, June 8th 2013 - 06:23 UTC

  OAS assembly calls for new multi disciplinary approach to the drug problem

  

  Member States from of the Organization of American States (OAS), meeting in Antigua, Guatemala at the 43rd General Assembly, declared on Friday “that it is essential that the Hemisphere continue to advance in a coordinated manner in the search for effective solutions to the world drug problem with a comprehensive integrated, strengthened, balanced and multidisciplinary approach with full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.”