United nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon congratulated Argentina for having been chosen to preside as of next year the G77 plus China group, anticipating Buenos Aires could act as a “bridge” with the G 20 group to which it also belongs.
Argentine extreme militants belonging to a self proclaimed “Patriotic resistance” have taken over the Panama flagged Audax II docked in the port of Buenos Aires, which they allege was originally Argentine but lost to the British during the 1982 Falkland Islands conflict.
Prime Minister David Cameron offered Tuesday a very warm welcome to Pope Benedict XVI ahead of his visit to Britain. The first state visit by a Pope to Britain, starting on Thursday, will take in trips to Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Birmingham, and includes a meeting with PM Cameron on Saturday.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced Tuesday the appointment of Chilean former president Michelle Bachelet as the Under-Secretary-General for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).
The controversy over a Spanish town Mayor proposal for a toll on traffic to neighbouring Gibraltar has reached the European Union. Ashley Fox, Gibraltar’s Tory MEP, has asked the European Commission to state whether the proposal would breach EU rules on freedom of movement.
Many of the celebrations planned for Chile’s bicentennial are meant to mimic the centennial celebrations, such as President Sebastián Pinera’s recreation of a dinner with foreign ambassadors in Chile.
French Agriculture minister Bruno Le Maire reiterated Paris ‘strong rejection’ of European Union trade talks with Mercosur and said that Europe “is no dumping ground for Mercosur agriculture produce”.
EU trade chief Karel De Gucht said on Tuesday in Brazil that a EU-Mercosur trade pact could happen “in less than a year”, despite France's “firm” opposition to a deal with the South American block.
Alan Huckle retires this month as Governor of the Falkland Island. In an interview with Mercopress Mr. Huckle recalls some of the outstanding events of his mandate: a solemn, dignified 25th anniversary of the 1982 conflict; constitutional reform which transferred even greater responsibility to the Falklands elected Councilors and oil, “an issue not yet played out”.
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries turns 50 years old Tuesday having survived a tumultuous history of wars, embargoes and in-fighting. The world’s oldest and largest energy producer group is now enjoying prices close to the 75 USD a barrel level that its largest member Saudi Arabia considers “ideal.”