Politics

Wednesday, November 14th 2012 - 07:03 UTC
National holiday record breaking in Argentina: 19 in 2012; at least 17 next year

Argentines are known to be quite a stress-prone bunch, when not neurotic, but the annual calendar of national and one-time holidays gives a different picture: 19 this year and at least 17 in 2013.
Wednesday, November 14th 2012 - 00:42 UTC
Sao Paulo turned into a shoot out battle ground between drug lords and the police

The wave of killings in South America’s largest city, Sao Paulo is attributed to a resurgence of attacks from the criminal gang PCC (First Command of the Capital) against the police, which is also involved in reprisals turning the Brazilian metropolis into one of the most violent in the country.
Tuesday, November 13th 2012 - 23:07 UTC
Colombia/FARC peace talks delayed until Monday on “technical details”

Peace talks between Colombia's government and FARC rebels scheduled to start in Cuba this week will be delayed until Monday so negotiators can work on “technical” details, both sides said on Tuesday.
Tuesday, November 13th 2012 - 23:00 UTC
US public opinion pessimistic about a political agreement on the ‘fiscal cliff’

A majority of Americans expect the US to go over the fiscal cliff at the beginning of 2013 and would blame Republicans if that happened, according to a poll published Tuesday. On Friday Democrat and Republican congressional leaders are scheduled to begin discussions.
Tuesday, November 13th 2012 - 22:53 UTC
Argentines and Brazilians pay the most tax in Latam, says OECD

Argentines and Brazilians pay the most tax in Latin America while Venezuelans pay the least, according to a report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), released on Tuesday.
Tuesday, November 13th 2012 - 22:38 UTC
“Only a third of countries qualified for UN Human Rights Council”, claim advocate groups

Human rights groups have criticized the election by the United Nations General Assembly of several countries with questionable rights' records to the UN Human Rights Council. Of the 18 countries elected Monday to the Geneva-based body, human rights advocates say only about a third are qualified.
Tuesday, November 13th 2012 - 21:19 UTC
PM Cameron and Foreign Secretary Hague pay tribute to Sir Rex Hunt

British Prime Minister David Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague paid tribute to the former governor of the Falkland Islands Sir Rex Hunt who died at the age of 86 on Sunday.
Tuesday, November 13th 2012 - 20:51 UTC
Latam rapidly turning into middle class continent, says World Bank

A World Bank report released Tuesday found that Latin America and the Caribbean registered a 50% jump in the number of people joining the middle class during the last decade, which was called by economists an historic achievement for a region long exposed to wealth inequality.
Tuesday, November 13th 2012 - 03:58 UTC
Spanish banks suspend evictions for next two years for the most vulnerable

Spanish banks are suspending evictions for the next two years for the most vulnerable people. An estimated 350,000 families have been evicted from their homes since Spain's property market crashed in 2008.
Tuesday, November 13th 2012 - 03:52 UTC
Ecuador’s President Correa runs for a third consecutive term next February

Ecuador President Rafael Correa officially announced this weekend that he would run for a third term in February elections -- a contest in which he is expected to be the runaway favourite.