Politics

Thursday, December 27th 2012 - 19:57 UTC
First Kirchnerite minister to be sentenced to four years in prison

Argentine former Economy Minister Felisa Miceli was sentenced to 4 years in prison after being found guilty of hiding and destroying evidence after a bag full of cash was found in her office in 2007; an incident which ended with her resigning from office.
Thursday, December 27th 2012 - 19:49 UTC
Maduro with more power on economic affairs; devaluation of the Bolivar in the agenda

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez delegated certain responsibilities in economic affairs to Vice-President Nicolas Maduro including the right to authorize debt sales and seize assets. The announcement comes at a moment when significant economic decisions must be taken following the profligate spending leading to last October’s election.
Thursday, December 27th 2012 - 06:11 UTC
Cristina Fernandez recommended to ease intensity and will cut short visit to Asia

Argentine president Cristina Fernandez has been recommended by her medical team to ease the ‘intensity’ of her activities and thus will leave Vietnam out of a tour which is planned for next month and includes the Arab Emirates and Indonesia.
Thursday, December 27th 2012 - 06:05 UTC
Argentine labour leader files complaint against officials for last week’s extended looting

The head of Argentina’s organized labour, Hugo Moyano filed a complaint before a federal criminal court against cabinet chief Juan Manuel Abal Medina and Security Secretary Sergio Berni who openly and repeatedly accused the teamsters leader of being behind the extended rioting and looting of last week when four people were killed, hundreds injured and arrested and left millions of dollars in damages.
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.