Politics

• Friday, February 17th 2012 - 01:22 UTC

  Rousseff names controversial pro-abortion minister for Women’s affairs

  

  Recently inaugurated Minister for Women policies Eleonora Menicucci has raised eyebrows in chauvinistic Brazil after having publicly admitted to two abortions and bi-sexual experiences

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 21:00 UTC

  UN postal union acquires world’s first postage stamp issued in 1840

  

  The United Nations postal union reported this week it has acquired what is probably the world’s best-known stamp – the Penny Black – which was issued 172 years ago and shows a profile image of United Kingdom’s Queen Victoria on a black background.

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 20:51 UTC

  Sean Penn should return his Malibu estate to the Mexicans

  

  By Dr Tim Stanley - During his recent tour of Argentina and Uruguay as UN ambassador at large for Haiti made some unfortunate statements regarding the Falklands/Malvinas diplomatic dispute arguing that “It would be nothing short of bullying, to not sit down and diplomatically negotiate a fair sharing of any resources discovered between Argentina and the United Kingdom”.

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 20:43 UTC

  Controversy in Nicaragua over contribution for ALBA development bank

  

  Nicaragua’s Central Bank President Antenor Rosales quit following a disagreement with President Daniel Ortega over the use of foreign currency reserves to fund a regional bank for the Venezuelan-led bloc of eight nations known as Alba, (Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas).

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 20:00 UTC

  Falkland Islanders have the right to choose their future

  

  By Dr. Barry Elsby - The Falkland Islands are home to a thriving community. In the face of escalating rhetoric, that community must have the right to determine its own future, argues Dr Barry Elsby MLA

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 19:56 UTC

  Copy of telex with Argentine surrender and end of Falklands conflict June 1982, to be auctioned

  

  One of three copies of the telex signaling the end of the conflict between the UK and Argentina over the Falkland Islands and other South Atlantic islands will be auctioned by Bonhams on the conflict’s 30th anniversary.

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 07:22 UTC

  Brazil cuts 2012 spending to meet budget surplus and allow interest rates to fall

  

  Brazil will cut 55 billion Reais (32 billion dollars) from this year’s budget to allow interest rates to fall, while increasing investment to boost growth in the world’s second-biggest emerging market.

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 07:19 UTC

  Mining projects debate heats up in Argentina as provinces unite to defend industry

  

  The Argentine government faced with growing resistance to mining projects without the proper environment and resources assurances, which has led to demonstrations and sometimes violent clashes with police, has sponsored the creation of the Federal Mining Organization which brings together all those provinces with mining interests.

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 05:13 UTC

  Argentine maritime workers ratify ‘random blockade’ of British vessels

  

  The Argentine Confederation of Transportation Workers (CATT) ratified on Wednesday that it would randomly block British ships from docking on Argentine ports, in response to the UK’s refusal to negotiate the Malvinas Islands’ sovereignty.

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 05:09 UTC

  Argentina fines YPF for un-paid tax bill further straining relation with the industry

  

  Argentina’s largest energy company YPF, dropped the most in the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange’s leading share index on Wednesday after the federal tax agency banned it from importing and exporting because of an unpaid tax bill.