Politics

Saturday, December 31st 2011 - 18:43 UTC
A Malvinas war veteran dies in an attempt to cross to the Falklands in a kayak

A Malvinas war veteran drowned in an attempt to reach the Falkland Islands in a kayak from Ushuaia while his companion was rescued by an Argentine Navy patrol and is in hospital in a state of chock, reported the Buenos Aires press in the last day of 2011.
Saturday, December 31st 2011 - 03:32 UTC
More than 100 journalists killed in 2011; call on the UN for protection action

More than 100 journalists or other media staffs were killed in 2011, up from last year's toll, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said, calling on UN Secretary General Bank Ki-moon to act to help protect the profession.
Saturday, December 31st 2011 - 03:18 UTC
Thatcher was warned about risks of Navy cuts a year before the Falklands conflict

Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was warned about the risks in slashing Britain's navy, a year before the 1982 Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands, secret files released Friday showed.
Friday, December 30th 2011 - 21:55 UTC
Cristina Fernandez in Patagonia for New Year; Wednesday surgery

Argentine President Cristina Fernández left on Friday for Santa Cruz province to her home in El Calafate to spend the New Year celebrations with her son Máximo, daughter Florencia and other family members. Next Wednesday she is scheduled to undergo thyroid cancer surgery.
Friday, December 30th 2011 - 21:51 UTC
How the Gibraltar naval dockyard was saved from the axe back in 1981

British ministers feared the closure of Gibraltar’s naval dockyard would throw the local budget into “chronic deficit” and precipitate a “constitutional crisis” according to newly-released files, some of which were published by the Gibraltar Chronicle.
Friday, December 30th 2011 - 21:45 UTC
Business as usual says North Korea regime; calls Seoul politicians ‘foolish puppets’

North Korea sounded on Friday a bellicose note in its first communication with the outside world since the death of leader Kim Jong-il, saying its confrontational stance against South Korea would not change and labelling its opponents “foolish.”
Friday, December 30th 2011 - 21:39 UTC
New Spanish government announces draconian measures to balance the budget

Spain's new government revealed on Friday that the public deficit for 2011 would come in at 8% of GDP, well above a target of 6%, and announced income and property tax hikes and a civil servant wage freeze in response.
Friday, December 30th 2011 - 21:34 UTC
Buenos Aires City becomes 100% smoke-free in public places

The City of Buenos Aires put forth the steps to become 100% smoke-free, after amendments were made to the anti-tobacco laws, totally prohibiting the use of smoking areas in restaurants and bars in Argentina’s capital.
Friday, December 30th 2011 - 06:36 UTC
Uruguay suggests changing to the red ensign for Falklands’ vessels to operate in Montevideo

No changes are needed in current legislation to bar vessels flying the Malvinas flag from entering Uruguayan ports, but Uruguay also speculates that if the vessels change to the English flag there will be no problems, according to a report from the Foreign Affairs ministry.
Friday, December 30th 2011 - 06:28 UTC
Argentine ambassador who ignores basic facts on the Falklands takes office in Washington

Ambassador Jorge Argüello arrived Thursday to Washington and immediately began activities as head of the Argentine embassy before the US with a first round of talks with members of his staff, according to a release from the embassy.