Politics

Friday, January 25th 2013 - 04:54 UTC
Germany, France and nine other EU countries approved tax on financial transactions

France, Germany and nine other European Union states side-stepped British opposition this week and won approval for a tax on financial transactions, it emerged on Wednesday.
Friday, January 25th 2013 - 04:16 UTC
ECLAC underlines significance of EU investments in the region: 500bn in a decade

The Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Alicia Bárcena called for “a more symmetrical, balanced and equitable relationship with Europe” during the first CELAC/EU academic summit in Santiago de Chile.
Friday, January 25th 2013 - 04:10 UTC
EU and Brazil agree on a “speedy conclusion” of the trade pact with Mercosur

Brazilian and European leaders called on Thursday for the speedy conclusion of a free trade and cooperation agreement between the European Union and Mercosur. The call for action was made as Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff hosted European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
Friday, January 25th 2013 - 04:05 UTC
“Turn the lights on” electricity rates are down Rousseff tells fellow Brazilians

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff announced this week a deeper-than-expected cut in electricity rates, hoping to contain a recent spike in inflation, give manufacturers a boost and prop the flat economy.
Friday, January 25th 2013 - 04:01 UTC
Cristina Fernandez ‘knocks out’ governors from influencing mid term election

The government of President Cristina Fernandez implemented a new system whereby mayors will be able to directly apply for financial assistance for their districts, thus bypassing governors. Earlier in the week the most outstanding governor and (political ally) Daniel Scioli from Buenos Aires province had formally requested reconsideration of the tax sharing program.
Thursday, January 24th 2013 - 20:02 UTC
Argentine Defence minister ‘ashamed’ of the Santisima Trinidad sinking in port

Argentine Defence Minister Arturo Puricelli said that the sinking of the destroyer ARA Santísima Trinidad could have been a planned sabotage attack, but also confessed that when President Cristina Fernandez asks him why the ship sank his face drops with embarrassment.
Thursday, January 24th 2013 - 19:58 UTC
Exchange Mali support for French involvement if Argentina ‘invades’ Falklands, suggests MP

A British Member of Parliament called for greater military support for France in Mali as a way of committing Paris in the event of an Argentine ‘invasion’ of the Falklands. However the British government downplayed any military attempt from Argentina and reiterated that no ground troops will put foot in the African country.
Thursday, January 24th 2013 - 08:08 UTC
Ashton praises Peru for its inclusion policy and fighting child malnutrition

The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton, highlighted the “important role that Peru is playing in the Latinamerican region,” assuring that Peru will participate “very constructively” in the EU-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) summit, in Santiago de Chile, on 26-27 January.
Thursday, January 24th 2013 - 05:58 UTC
LatinFocus forecasts regional GDP to expand 3.7% and average inflation 6.6%

LatinFocus Consensus Forecast panellists expect regional GDP to expand 3.7% this year, following an estimated 2.9% increase recorded in 2012. The stable figure reflects rosier prospects for Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela, which were offset by downward revisions to Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay.
Thursday, January 24th 2013 - 05:44 UTC
EU tells PM Cameron that ‘cherry picking” and “a la carte” membership is not on the table

Germany and France have warned UK Prime Minister David Cameron that Britain cannot pick and choose EU membership terms after he pledged a referendum. PM Cameron said a poll would be held if the Conservatives were returned to power at the next general election, which is expected in 2015.