Politics

• Thursday, April 26th 2012 - 21:51 UTC

  YPF seizure has sent “shockwaves” globally; Argentina will “suffer consequences”

  

  European Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said Argentina is in for long term consequences after sending “shockwaves” internationally with the announced plans to expropriate 51% of YPF shares owned by Spain-based Repsol oil and gas company.

• Thursday, April 26th 2012 - 21:44 UTC

  Marine Le Pen waiting for the phone call from Sarkozy to discuss endorsement

  

  Far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who has emerged as a kingmaker in France's presidential race, sought to wrest concessions from President Nicolas Sarkozy by challenging him not to bar her party's way in parliamentary elections.

• Thursday, April 26th 2012 - 21:33 UTC

  Argentine Lower House discusses YPF bill; CFK should stamp it into law next week

  

  Committees of Argentina’s Lower House of Congress began a plenary session on Thursday in order to clear the YPF expropriation bill for debate, which was approved early morning by the Senate.

• Thursday, April 26th 2012 - 21:00 UTC

  Chavez is back in Caracas, “with any adverse reaction to the treatment”

  

  Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez returned home after 11 days of cancer treatment in Cuba as the state television showed images of the Head of State chatting with his vice president and other aides after arriving at Caracas' international airport early Thursday.

• Thursday, April 26th 2012 - 06:18 UTC

  IMF tells Latam good days are not forever and should rebuild ‘defence walls’

  

  The IMF warned Latin America on Wednesday that favourable economic conditions are not for ever and called on the region’s countries to “rebuild defences” ahead of an uncertain economic future.

• Thursday, April 26th 2012 - 06:07 UTC

  Brazilian congress approves forest bill that further threatens Amazon basin

  

  Brazil’s Lower house of Congress on Wednesday approved a bill that weakens the country’s benchmark environmental law protecting the Amazon and other areas, a move that some fear will lead to a spike in deforestation.

• Thursday, April 26th 2012 - 05:59 UTC

  Brazil investing heavily in developing Peruvian natural gas sector

  

  Three of Brazil's leading companies said on Wednesday they are increasing investment and exploration in Peru's natural gas sector as the country prepares to build a new pipeline and petrochemical plants.

• Thursday, April 26th 2012 - 05:54 UTC

  Brazil loan delinquencies down; Rousseff wants lower rates from private banks

  

  Loan delinquencies at Brazilian banks fell in March for the first time this year, a sign that households are reining in debt to get current on their obligations, central bank data showed on Wednesday.

• Thursday, April 26th 2012 - 05:51 UTC

  US promises advanced military technology if Brazil buys Boeing F/A18 fighters

  

  Brazil will get US advanced technology transfers if it buys Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet to upgrade its air force, visiting US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said on Wednesday.

• Thursday, April 26th 2012 - 05:48 UTC

  Chilean students take to the streets in support of education reform

  

  Tens of thousands of students took to the streets in Chile in support of education reform. Organisers said at least 50.000 marched in the capital Santiago on Wednesday, with police saying 25.000 attended.