Politics

• Thursday, December 15th 2011 - 19:53 UTC

  Argentina bullying Uruguay on canal dredging and Falkland Islands flagged vessels

  

  Uruguay has banned the docking of Falklands/Malvinas flagged vessel in the port of Montevideo, following on complaints from Argentina that several fishing vessels with that flag, in recent months had been operating from Montevideo.

• Thursday, December 15th 2011 - 17:52 UTC

  After nine bloody years US military officially end Iraq war

  

  The US military officially ended its war in Iraq, rolling up its flag at a low-key ceremony with Defence Secretary Leon Panetta nearly nine bloody years after the invasion that ousted Dictator Saddam Hussein.

• Thursday, December 15th 2011 - 15:42 UTC

  Brazil ‘disappointed’ with Paraguay Senate attitude towards Venezuela and Mercosur

  

  Brazil’s International Affairs presidential advisor Marco Aurelio García admitted there is “disappointment” in Mercosur with the delay from the Paraguayan congress in approving the incorporation of Venezuela.

• Thursday, December 15th 2011 - 15:37 UTC

  Brazil decides full support for the (development) Bank of the South

  

  The administration of President Dilma Rousseff will be sending the bill creating the Bank of the South to congress next month, since this financial institution “will help the region address the global crisis”.

• Thursday, December 15th 2011 - 03:45 UTC

  Uruguayan president and Vice-president publicly clash over education policy

  

  The Uruguayan president and Vice president have again openly clashed this time over education reform. First Lady and Senator Lucia Topolansky described Vice-president Danilo Astori’s comments on the issue as “negative” and praised the attitude of teachers’ unions involved in the reform effort.

• Wednesday, December 14th 2011 - 17:48 UTC

  Mexican president criticizes the US on its financial misbalances

  

  President Felipe Calderon criticized its powerful neighbour, United States during a speech in which he outlined the G20 agenda for the next twelve months, including the summit, which is under the presidency of Mexico.

• Wednesday, December 14th 2011 - 17:26 UTC

  Korea invites China and Japan to help reduce illegal fishing in the Yellow Sea

  

  South Korea will try to reach an agreement with Japan and China to help reduce illegal fishing in its waters following the death of a South Korean Coast Guard this week during a fight with Chinese fishermen who were caught red-handed operating in the Yellow Sea.

• Wednesday, December 14th 2011 - 17:15 UTC

  “The Protester” named Time magazine’s Person of the Year

  

  From the Arab Spring to the Occupy Wall Street movement, “The Protester” was named Time magazine's 2011 Person of the Year. Time defines the Person of the Year as someone who, for better or for worse, influences the events of the year.

• Wednesday, December 14th 2011 - 17:04 UTC

  October marks UK highest unemployment level in 17 years

  

  The number of Britons out of work rose to its highest level in more than 17 years in October, and these jobless figures look set to rise further as firms facing the threat of a renewed recession cut back on staff.

• Wednesday, December 14th 2011 - 16:41 UTC

  Chavez seeking re-election announces pension hikes and cash bonus for children

  

  Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has launched new social programs including hikes in pensions and a 100 dollars a month cash payment for needy children as he prepares for his re-election bid next year.