Politics

Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 20:14 UTC
Messi’s Facebook page collects 7 million Likes in just a few hours

Few hours after Argentine football star Lionel Messi started a Facebook Page, the Barcelona's striker has almost 7 million Likes.
Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 19:05 UTC
Euro zone raises interest rate fearing inflation; “sorry peripheral countries”

Euro-zone interest rates have been raised to 1.25% from the record low of 1% by the European Central Bank (ECB). Interest rates had been held at 1% for just under two years following the financial crisis and global recession.
Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 18:05 UTC
In spite of latest measures, Brazil’s ‘currency war’ looks set to rumble on

If recent evidence is anything to go by, Brazil’s latest effort to stem the rise in the Real is unlikely to have a lasting impact on the markets, according to Capital Economics.
Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 10:15 UTC
Brazil’s latest effort to stem flood of capital and contain the ‘Mighty Real’

Brazil unveiled Wednesday the latest effort to stem a flood of foreign capital that is driving the local currency sky-high and undermining the competitiveness of the country’s exports. Finance Minister Guido Mantega blamed the currency woes on the Federal Reserve policy that keeps US interest rates near zero.
Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 10:11 UTC
Uruguay’s public debt to abandon foreign currencies for local Pesos

Uruguay this year plans to swap part of its foreign-currency bonds for debt denominated in Pesos, said Economy Minister Fernando Lorenzo. Uruguay will also sell Peso securities and use the proceeds to pay off bonds denominated in other currencies, Lorenzo said without providing further details.
Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 10:06 UTC
Argentina under pressure to approve anti money-laundering legislation

The Argentine administration of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner called Wednesday on the opposition lawmakers to pass an anti money laundering bill before June other wise Argentina could be black-listed for not having the proper controls.
Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 09:11 UTC
Portugal admits the facts, formally requests a bailout from the EU

Portugal's caretaker government said on Wednesday it had decided to seek financing from the European Union in an abrupt turnaround after resisting a bailout for months despite sharply deteriorating financial conditions.
Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 09:08 UTC
“If we don’t unite, Cristina beats us with 40% of the vote”, warns Duhalde

Argentina’s presidential hopeful and former caretaker president Eduardo Duhalde warned that if the opposition doesn’t unite, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner will defeat them next October 23 and be re-elected for a second four year mandate.
Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 09:01 UTC
Colombia and Obama closer to having US Congress approve free trade agreement

White House officials said the United States and Colombia have reached a deal on a free trade agreement. President Barack Obama and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos are to meet Thursday to discuss the deal.
Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 08:56 UTC
Brazil rejects as ‘unjustified’ request to halt work on a huge dam in the Amazon

Brazil has said a request to halt work on its massive hydro-electric dam in the Amazon rainforest is unjustified despite environmental concerns. Brazil's foreign ministry was responding to the request by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.