Politics

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.
Saturday, October 6th 2012 - 15:09 UTC
Borders and Coast Guards in conflict won’t yield; government looks for scapegoats

Argentina’s Security Ministry decided the intervention of the Border Guards’ Department of Judicial Affairs due to “severe deficiencies” found in the application of the officers' “wage demands”, which led to the current situation that on Friday night was beginning its fifth consecutive day of conflict.
Saturday, October 6th 2012 - 15:06 UTC
Brazil wants Paraguay back in Mercosur following “democracy compliance” test

Brazilian Foreign minister Antonio Patriota said on Friday that Paraguay could resume membership of Mercosur and Unasur without the need to wait for presidential elections next April 2013 as long as “full compliance with democracy” can be verified.
Saturday, October 6th 2012 - 14:58 UTC
Cuban dissident freed; court asks seven years for Spanish youth activist

Cuban authorities released prominent dissident blogger Yoani Sanchez late on Friday after detaining her on the eve of a Spanish activist's high-profile manslaughter trial in the eastern city of Bayamo.
Friday, October 5th 2012 - 22:51 UTC
Significant drop in US unemployment triggers controversy with former GE CEO

The US unemployment rate fell last month to its lowest rate since January 2009, figures from the Department of Labour have shown, surprising analysts who had been expecting a small rise.