Politics

• Friday, March 30th 2012 - 07:54 UTC

  For Uruguay “there is not blockade of Malvinas by any country of the continent”

  

  Uruguay reiterated its full and traditional support for Argentina’s sovereignty claims over the Falklands/Malvinas Islands, but at the same time underlined that “there is no blockade to the inhabitants of the Malvinas Islands by any country of the continent”, and clearly differentiated the Cuban and Malvinas blockades.

• Friday, March 30th 2012 - 07:51 UTC

  Rajoy challenged by general strike, recession and more loss of jobs

  

  As Spain heads for its second recession since 2010 and unemployment stands at 23%, workers angry at a labour reform the government calls an “unstoppable” necessity staged a general strike on Thursday, bringing factories and ports to a standstill and igniting flashes of violence on the streets.

• Friday, March 30th 2012 - 07:42 UTC

  US Judge criticizes Argentine ‘continued intransigence’ in refusing to honour lawful debts

  

  A US judge threw out claims by bondholders on up to 2.21 billion dollars of Argentine funds held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, but criticized the country’s “continued intransigence” in refusing to pay creditors holding defaulted debt.

• Friday, March 30th 2012 - 07:39 UTC

  Brazil monetary authorities suggest benchmark rate could fall to 9% (from 9.75%)

  

  Brazil's Central Bank Monetary Policy Committee (Copom) reaffirmed the likelihood it will continue to cut rates and at the same time perhaps put into question its commitment to the 4.5% inflation target for 2013, according to the quarterly inflation report released Thursday morning.

• Friday, March 30th 2012 - 07:25 UTC

  Close links with Latam and steadfast commitment to Falklands, announced Hague

  

  The UK is determined to strengthen relations with Latin America and equally committed to the Falkland Islands right to self-determination, said Foreign Secretary William Hague during a major foreign policy speech at banquet.

• Friday, March 30th 2012 - 07:11 UTC

  Inflation notoriously above the target range, admits Uruguay’s central bank

  

  The Central Bank of Uruguay left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 8.75% on Thursday, saying the current level is consistent with a restrictive monetary policy as Uruguayan authorities stubbornly battle high inflation.

• Friday, March 30th 2012 - 07:05 UTC

  Brazil’s union files lawsuit against Chevron and Transocean over oil spill

  

  Brazil's largest oil workers union filed a lawsuit against US oil company Chevron and drilling firm Transocean that seeks to cancel their rights to operate in the country as the result of an offshore oil spill last November.

• Friday, March 30th 2012 - 06:58 UTC

  Nine companies submit 19 bids to explore for oil offshore Uruguay

  

  Nine oil and gas companies have submitted 19 bids to explore for hydrocarbons off the coast of Uruguay, the state energy company Ancap said on Thursday.

• Friday, March 30th 2012 - 06:47 UTC

  Uruguay against any Falklands’ blockade; supports trade with the Islands

  

  Foreign Affairs minister Luis Almagro said that the Uruguayan government does not oppose trade with the Falkland Islands and any undertaking to that effect by the private sector is welcome since “Uruguay does not agree with any commercial or economic blockade of the Islands”.

• Friday, March 30th 2012 - 06:41 UTC

  Brazil’s 1964/85 military blackout on human rights abuses up for review

  

  Rio do Janeiro riot police used pepper spray and tear gas on Thursday to chase protesters away from a celebration by retired soldiers marking the March 1964 coup that established Brazil's long military dictatorship.