Politics

Friday, July 27th 2012 - 05:17 UTC
Cuba to end Soviet-style economy and will implement market friendly policies

Cuba adopted a new tax code this week and said it would loosen regulations on some state companies while turning others into cooperatives, as one of the world's last Soviet-style economies moves in a more market-friendly direction.
Friday, July 27th 2012 - 05:10 UTC
Argentine union leader confesses he never believed in the “official inflation rate”

Argentina’s Metal workers union (UOM) leader Antonio Caló said on Thursday he “never believed in the (official stats office) Indec” and openly estimated that inflation in the country is running at “23% to 24%”.
Friday, July 27th 2012 - 02:52 UTC
IMF Western Hemisphere director Eyzaguirre resigns; takes CEO job in Chilean television channel

IMF western hemisphere director, Chilean national Nicolás Eyzaguirre, resigned to his post Thursday in order to become the CEO of Chilean Canal 13 network. The International Monetary Fund confirmed the news and added that the official will leave his responsibilities immediately.
Friday, July 27th 2012 - 02:32 UTC
US candidate Romney apologized to PM Cameron for London Games comments

US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's high-profile overseas trip got off to a rocky start on Thursday when he was forced to clarify a comment seen as criticizing London's handling of the Summer Olympics that he came to celebrate.
Thursday, July 26th 2012 - 21:17 UTC
UN criticizes as “devastating” Venezuela’s decision to pull out from human rights court

United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said on Thursday that Venezuela's pullout of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR Court) would be “devastating” for the international organization. Spokesperson Rupert Colville said the move “will be not good for Venezuela either.”
Thursday, July 26th 2012 - 20:35 UTC
Mujica warns Uruguay is going through an exceptional period, but it is also finite

President Jose Mujica said Uruguay was going through an ‘exceptional’ period vis-à-vis the world crisis but also warned that exceptionality has limits and is not forever.
Thursday, July 26th 2012 - 20:28 UTC
Uruguay central bank suggests “serene alert” attitude to address global crisis impact

Uruguay must adopt an attitude of “serene alert” given the “uncertainty and uncommon volatility” prevailing in the world said central bank president Mario Bergara, underlining the country has reduced “vulnerabilities” considerably.
Thursday, July 26th 2012 - 18:52 UTC
Brazil discusses with Chavez arrangements for Venezuela’s Mercosur incorporation

Venezuelan President met on Wednesday with a committee from the Brazilian government to discuss mechanisms to speed the full integration of the country to the regional block. Brazil currently holds the Mercosur rotating chair.
Thursday, July 26th 2012 - 18:38 UTC
Sea Shepherd leader Watson skips bail fearing extradition to Japan

Sea Shepherd leader Paul Watson has skipped bail and fled from Germany, with his supporters claiming they fear he would have been extradited to Japan over Antarctic whaling protests.
Thursday, July 26th 2012 - 09:19 UTC
Argentine organized labour divided but fearful of Cristina Fernandez intentions

Argentine union leaders said that the conflict inside the CGT umbrella organization is “purely political” and claimed that President Cristina Fernandez is after a “divided and passive” organized labour movement.