Politics

• Saturday, August 11th 2012 - 10:28 UTC

  “Amazonas”, first of three ocean patrol vessels built for Brazil leaves UK

  

  Amazonas, the first of three BAE Systems built Ocean Patrol Vessels being delivered the Brazilian Navy, departed the UK for Rio de Janeiro this week after her crew completed a rigorous program of Flag Officer Sea Training with the Royal Navy off the South coast of England

• Saturday, August 11th 2012 - 10:04 UTC

  Paraguay sounding the possibility of joining the Pacific Group

  

  Paraguay is sounding the recently created Pacific Block made up of Colombia, Peru, Chile and Mexico with the possibility of considering applying to join it, revealed the country’s Foreign affairs minister Jose Fernandez Estigarribia.

• Saturday, August 11th 2012 - 06:52 UTC

  Buenos Aires City subway strike enters eighth day; Macri blames Cristina

  

  Buenos Aires subway splinter workers union announced Friday evening that they failed to reach an agreement with licensee company Metrovías and that the strike will continue for another 24 hours.

• Friday, August 10th 2012 - 22:42 UTC

  Falklands’ Argentine cemetery investigation extends to the UK and Malvinas families

  

  The investigation into the vandalized hermitage at the Argentine Cemetery in the Falklands has seen the local police investigation extend to the UK and Argentina. Forensic material has been sent to Britain and Falklands’ police have requested the Malvinas Families Commission to help identify the origin of a Spanish Bible with a message signed by a “Viviana” found inside the attacked shrine.

• Friday, August 10th 2012 - 22:28 UTC

  Mexico Ousts Brazil as Investors’ Top Choice in Latin America

  

  Due to increasing economic stability and a growing population, Brazil is now widely considered an economic powerhouse capable of maintaining and attracting foreign direct investments.(1)(2) However, recent corruption schemes, changes in monetary policy, and the ongoing 2008 global financial crisis have undermined Brazil’s shining reputation. In light of Brazil’s governmental intervention, the number of state-controlled enterprises, the growing debt-to-GDP in the private sector, and inflation rates, investors have begun to turn their attention to other economies in Latin America, especially Mexico.(3)

• Friday, August 10th 2012 - 08:56 UTC

  Uruguay begins to discuss ‘marihuana bill’ that makes government pot dealer

  

  A plan by Uruguayan president Jose Mujica to turn the government into the nation's marijuana dealer has been presented to Congress. The aim of the proposed bill is to take over an illegal marijuana trafficking business estimated to be worth 30 to 40 million dollars annually.

• Friday, August 10th 2012 - 07:57 UTC

  Brazil votes affirmative action for blacks and minorities in federal universities

  

  The Brazilian Senate has approved an affirmative action bill that reserves half the spots in federal universities for high school graduates of public schools, and distributes them according to the racial makeup of each state.

• Friday, August 10th 2012 - 07:49 UTC

  Brazil reminds Paraguay that Itaipu power is jointly shared and managed

  

  Brazil reminded Paraguay it can use the power it needs from the giant Itaipu hydro but there is a contract which regulates how to manage the surplus. A day earlier president Federico Franco said that Paraguay would not “yield” any more electricity to Brazil.

• Friday, August 10th 2012 - 07:21 UTC

  Argentine private agencies July inflation 1.76% and 24.13% in twelve months

  

  Argentine opposition lawmakers presented on Thursday July’s inflation index based in the analysis of nine private agencies, which showed a 1.76% increase against the previous month and doubles the official index from the government of President Cristina Fernandez.

• Friday, August 10th 2012 - 07:03 UTC

  Falklands, an “excellent investment destination” for the oil industry

  

  The Falkland Islands Government has welcomed the news of a farm-in agreement between Falkland Oil and Gas Ltd and US based Noble Energy which was announced on Monday and confirms the Falklands as an “excellent investment destination”.