Politics

• Tuesday, May 8th 2012 - 01:58 UTC

  Respsol warns its peers with legal actions if they team up with nationalized YPF

  

  Spain-based energy group Repsol has sent letters to oil majors including Exxon-Mobil, Chevron and Conoco-Phillips warning it would sue them if they try to invest in YPF or its assets, reports the British newspaper The Financial Times.

• Monday, May 7th 2012 - 19:19 UTC

  Medvedev-Putin, now becomes Putin-Medvedev for the next six years

  

  Vladimir Putin, who was officially sworn in for a third term as president of Russia on Monday after four years of serving as the country’s prime minister, has nominated his predecessor Dmitry Medvedev to replace him as prime minister.

• Monday, May 7th 2012 - 17:39 UTC

  Mexican presidential front-runner confirms clear lead following televised debate

  

  Mexican presidential front-runner Enrique Peña Nieto retains a clear lead for the July 1 election after a televised debate in which he came under sustained fire from opponents, a poll showed on Monday.

• Monday, May 7th 2012 - 17:33 UTC

  Argentina takes official control of YPF; Rajoy asks: who can trust that country?

  

  The Argentine decision to seize control of 51% of YPF oil and gas giant came into effect on Monday as a decree was published on the Official Gazette. From Spain a new barrage of criticisms in support of Repsol and condemning Argentina started the week.

• Monday, May 7th 2012 - 17:28 UTC

  EU ready to cut trade benefits to Argentina because of YPF; warns the region on growing protectionism

  

  European Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht expressed concern Monday over what he called a “growing tendency towards protectionism across Latin America” and warned Europe is preparing retaliation measures against Argentina after YPF expropriation

• Monday, May 7th 2012 - 07:21 UTC

  Malvinas spot could ruin Argentine Olympic team spirit, warns athletes’ delegate

  

  The controversial Malvinas/Olympics advert promoted by the Argentine government ahead of the London Games not only has had negative reactions worldwide but has also triggered deep concern among members of the Argentine Olympic team.

• Monday, May 7th 2012 - 07:02 UTC

  Malvinas/Olympics advert athlete now admits he was aware the filming was for the Argentine government

  

  Argentine athlete Fernando Zylberberg involved in the controversial Malvinas/Olympics advert which is being aired by the Argentine government, contrary to his original statements, has admitted he knew the spot filmed in the Falkland Islands would be used by the government.

• Monday, May 7th 2012 - 04:52 UTC

  Greek seism rejects ‘bail-out’ parties and sends shockwaves to the EU

  

  Greece's two governing parties, which back tough austerity measures, have lost their parliamentary majority in Sunday's election. With almost all votes counted, centre-right New Democracy is leading with 19%, down from 33.5% in 2009.

• Monday, May 7th 2012 - 04:33 UTC

  Hollande first scheduled meeting with Merkel in Berlin to address austerity and growth

  

  A victorious Francois Hollande faces a short honeymoon after his election as France's first Socialist president in 17 years, with financial markets eager for clear signals on his policies and how hard he plans to push back against German-led austerity.

• Monday, May 7th 2012 - 04:24 UTC

  Obama launches re-election bid; attacks Romney for promising “to cut taxes for the rich”

  

  President Barack Obama plunged into his campaign for a new term and tore into rival Mitt Romney on Saturday for being willing and eager to “rubber stamp” a conservative Republican congressional agenda to cut taxes for the rich while slashing spending on programs that benefit an embattled middle class.