Politics

Monday, October 8th 2012 - 06:34 UTC
Paraguay expects to be back in Mercosur “sooner than later”: before April 2013

President Federio Franco said he trusted Paraguay would be fully re-incorporated to Mercosur before the general election scheduled for 21 April 2013. Paraguay is currently suspended from the trade block following the removal of Fernando Lugo as president, a decision voted almost unanimously by the country’s Senate but condemned by Mercosur and Unasur.
Monday, October 8th 2012 - 06:32 UTC
Falklands military exercises ‘routine’ and part of the defensive military presence

The British government said that the military exercises scheduled to be carried out in the Falkland Islands beginning Monday are “annual and routine exercises.” The move had been strongly condemned by the Argentine government.
Monday, October 8th 2012 - 06:28 UTC
Ghana court to hold hearing on retained Argentina’s ARA Libertad on Tuesday

Next Tuesday the Ghana Supreme Court will be holding a hearing to consider a motion from the government of President Cristina Fernandez requesting the annulment of the injunction retaining Argentina’s navy training vessel ARA Libertad following a legal proceeding from a hedge fund holding Argentine defaulted sovereign bonds.
Monday, October 8th 2012 - 06:26 UTC
Brazilian banks have room “to cut consumer lending rates in half”

Brazilian banks have room to cut consumer lending rates in half, Brazil's Finance Minister Guido Mantega said in remarks published this weekend in the O Globo newspaper.
Monday, October 8th 2012 - 06:23 UTC
Rio mayor re-elected and will host Olympics; Sao Paulo, run off with the two main parties

Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes has been re-elected with an overwhelming majority in the first round of Brazil's municipal elections. Paes from the centrist Democratic Movement Party will be in charge when Rio hosts the 2016 Olympics.
Monday, October 8th 2012 - 06:20 UTC
Argentine government discussing military pay and pensions with all forces

The Argentine Coast and Border Guards conflict remains unchanged Sunday night with the government advancing with some disciplinary actions while the big event is scheduled for Monday/Tuesday when the Cristina Fernandez administration is supposed to come up with a ‘satisfactory’ reply to the salary and working conditions petitions.
Monday, October 8th 2012 - 06:18 UTC
PM Cameron anticipates further cuts in public spending to reduce the deficit

Britain will have to keep cutting public spending to reduce the budget deficit, Prime Minister David Cameron said, underlining the government's tough task of trying to shunt the economy out of recession and winning back waning public support.
Monday, October 8th 2012 - 06:15 UTC
Sunday of protests against austerity measures in cities across Spain

Thousands of Spaniards on Sunday marched in cities across the country to decry tough austerity measures, part of a growing protest movement that shows no signs of abating and could culminate in a general strike in November.
Monday, October 8th 2012 - 05:44 UTC
Chavez wins another six years; massive 81% turnout of registered voters

President Hugo Chavez won re-election on Sunday, defeating challenger Henrique Capriles, Venezuela's electoral council said. With most votes counted, Chavez had more than 54% of the vote, and Capriles had 45%, National Electoral Council President Tibisay Lucena said. Turnout was 81% of the nearly 19 million registered voters.
Saturday, October 6th 2012 - 15:16 UTC
IMF cuts global growth estimates; calls for clear political leadership to restore confidence

The IMF has cut its global growth forecasts for this year and 2013 and called on politicians in the Euro-zone and the US to take “decisive” steps to restore confidence, a German newspaper said Friday.