Politics

• Wednesday, November 30th 2011 - 00:19 UTC

  UK without a fully operational aircraft carrier until 2030, says spending watchdog

  

  Britain may be without a fully operational aircraft carrier until 2030, according to a report published by the Commons spending watchdog. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) says two carriers being built will cost more, offer less military capability and be ready much later than planned.

• Tuesday, November 29th 2011 - 23:05 UTC

  Poverty in Latam at lowest level in 20 years; but 174 million are still below the line

  

  Poverty and indigence in Latin America and the Caribbean are at their lowest in twenty years according to the latest report from the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, ECLAC, released on Tuesday in Chile.

• Tuesday, November 29th 2011 - 17:21 UTC

  UNASUR considers strengthening emergency fund for balance of payments problems

  

  The Union of South American Nations, Unasur, may decide this week to strengthen an emergency fund to help countries in balance of payments problems, the Brazilian Finance Ministry’s international affairs secretary said.

• Tuesday, November 29th 2011 - 15:59 UTC

  Russian ambassador thanks RAF S&R chopper team including Prince William

  

  The Russian Ambassador has thanked the crew of the RAF Search and Rescue Flight, which included Prince William, for their attempts to rescue the crew of a sinking Russian cargo vessel this weekend.

• Tuesday, November 29th 2011 - 15:42 UTC

  Ice Patrol HMS Protector steaming for its deployment to Antarctica

  

  The Royal Navy's new ice patrol ship, HMS Protector left Portsmouth Monday for a seven-month deployment surveying and patrolling the frozen continent of Antarctica. The 5.000-tons ice-breaking ship completed an intensive period of sea trials and training prior to deploying to the Antarctic Peninsula.

• Tuesday, November 29th 2011 - 15:34 UTC

  UK opens new consulate in Recife, next to northeast Brazil main trade and sea hub

  

  Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne on Tuesday opened a new Consulate General in Recife, Brazil - the city which became home to one of the first ever British missions in South America in 1808.

• Tuesday, November 29th 2011 - 06:14 UTC

  CFK off to Venezuela to meet with Chavez and Dilma Rousseff

  

  Argentine President Cristina Fernández will hold a bilateral meeting next Friday with her Brazilian counterpart Dilma Rousseff in the framework of the first Latin American and Caribbean States Community Summit (CELAC).

• Tuesday, November 29th 2011 - 06:10 UTC

  Venezuela and Colombia agree to boost trade by reducing tariffs on 3.500 items

  

  Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez and his visiting Colombian counterpart Juan Manuel Santos subscribed Monday a trade understanding covering 3.500 items, based on the most exchanged products in recent years, and agreed on an ambitious energy projects that include neighbouring Ecuador and Panama.

• Tuesday, November 29th 2011 - 06:07 UTC

  Puerto Toro, the most austral town in the world celebrates its 119 anniversary

  

  The most austral village in the world, the Chilean town of Puerto Toro is celebrating this week the 119 anniversary of its foundation.

• Tuesday, November 29th 2011 - 06:04 UTC

  US and EU agree to begin talks on a trans-Atlantic economic and trade pact

  

  The United States and European Union agreed on Monday to develop a plan to capitalize on already strong economic ties to create more jobs and fuel economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic.