Politics

• Monday, May 16th 2011 - 15:51 UTC

  Brazil justifies import licences for the auto sector, and insists they are not targeted on Argentina

  

  Brazilian Development, Industry and Foreign Trade minister Fernando Pimentel justified trade barriers imposed last week on the import of cars, a measure which was strongly criticized by the Argentine government.

• Monday, May 16th 2011 - 06:38 UTC

  Major setback for President Mujica and for the Uruguayan ruling coalition

  

  The administration of Uruguayan president Jose Mujica suffered a major setback over the weekend and could experience a further showdown on Thursday when members of the ruling coalition vote in Parliament the annulment of an Amnesty or Crimes expiration law which impedes the investigation of human rights violations committed during the country’s military dictatorship (1973/1985).

• Monday, May 16th 2011 - 03:20 UTC

  “Kirchner and Moyano have been partners since day one” blasts Buenos Aires mayor

  

  The mayor of Buenos Aires City Mauricio Macri blasted Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and assured that despite her recent criticism towards CGT Labour Confederation leader Hugo Moyano “the Government and him have been partners since day one”.

• Sunday, May 15th 2011 - 15:04 UTC

  US Congress blocks disclosure of files on human rights violations in Argentina

  

  An effort to declassify US documents on Argentina’s dictatorship failed Friday in the US Congress, disappointing rights activists in the Argentine capital who believe the secret files could help them identify young people stolen as babies by the military junta.

• Sunday, May 15th 2011 - 15:00 UTC

  Geithner warns of catastrophic consequences if US debt limit is not raised

  

  With the US government about to hit its 14.3 trillion US dollars debt limit, US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has warned of “catastrophic” consequences and a new recession if Washington is not able to borrow more.

• Sunday, May 15th 2011 - 14:56 UTC

  Cristina Fernandez cancels trip to neighbouring Paraguay on medical advice

  

  Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner following medical advice was absent on Saturday from Paraguay’ official celebrations for the Bicentenary of the country’s independence. She was represented by Foreign Affairs Minister Héctor Timerman.

• Sunday, May 15th 2011 - 14:49 UTC

  IMF head and French president hopeful arrested for alleged sex act in New York

  

  An attempted-rape charge against IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn may put an end to his prospects of running in the French presidential election even as his party called for calm and unity until the claims have been verified.

• Sunday, May 15th 2011 - 09:28 UTC

  Film “Destroyer” will re-edit the sinking of HMS Coventry in the Falklands war

  

  The sinking of HMS Coventry in the Falklands War is to be made into a full-length cinema film to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the tragedy, reports the Portsmouth and Coventry press.

• Saturday, May 14th 2011 - 05:22 UTC

  Falkland Islanders still exposed to dangers of Argentine unexploded ordnance

  

  The Falkland Islands Joint Services Explosive Ordnance Disposal, EOD, detachment recently moved headquarters from Lookout Camp in the capital Stanley to the British military base at Mount Pleasant.

• Saturday, May 14th 2011 - 05:15 UTC

  French minister finds ‘strong tension and difficulties’ between Argentina and Brazil

  

  French Foreign Trade Secretary Pierre Lellouche said he had witnessed ‘strong tensions’ among Mercosur members during negotiations with the European Union for a free trade agreement.