Politics

Saturday, April 2nd 2011 - 17:39 UTC
Spanish Socialist PM steps down from 2012 re-election bid

The Socialist Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, says he will not seek a third term in the country’s general election next year. Spain is in the midst of a deep recession. At 20% it has the highest unemployment rate in the Euro zone.
Saturday, April 2nd 2011 - 15:56 UTC
Chile Medical Schools’ accreditation system for students sparks controversy

Out of the 19 universities in Chile whose students took the Examen Médico Nacional (EMN), (National Medicine Exam) three accounted for over half of the students who failed the test.
Saturday, April 2nd 2011 - 15:46 UTC
Timerman recalls April 2 Falklands’ invasion saying Argentina is not alone in its Malvinas sovereignty claim

Argentina has the support of numerous international organizations and regional forums in its sovereignty claim over the Malvinas Islands, writes Foreign Affairs minister Hector Timerman in an article under the heading of “Argentina is not alone in its Malvinas claim”
Saturday, April 2nd 2011 - 08:21 UTC
Moyano hails as personal victory the increase by 20% of minimum income tax floor

Argentina’s powerful organized Labour Confederation leader Hugo Moyano celebrated Friday as a victory for the “workers movement” that the government of Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner decided to raise by 20% the minimum income tax floor.
Saturday, April 2nd 2011 - 06:53 UTC
The delicate balance of ‘cooperation’ and ‘competition’ between China and Brazil

Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff and her Chinese peer Hu Jintao will address the Libyan crisis and other issues related to the Chinese currency, Yuan, which has Brazilian manufacturers most concerned, anticipated the Brazilian Foreign Affairs ministry.
Saturday, April 2nd 2011 - 06:51 UTC
Brazilian congress set to approve this week compensation for Paraguayan power

The Brazilian government is intent in increasing to 360 million US dollars annual payment for the surplus power from the world’s largest operational hydroelectric dam Itaipu, shared with Paraguay promised Marco Aurerlio Garcia President Dilma Rousseff international affairs advisor and special envoy.
Saturday, April 2nd 2011 - 06:41 UTC
Syrian security forces fire on anti government protests; at least seven killed

At least seven people have been killed in another day of anti-government protests in several Syrian cities, activists have said. Protest marches against Baath Party rule broke out in cities in the north and south after Friday prayers, including in the flashpoint city of Daraa.
Friday, April 1st 2011 - 17:51 UTC
Uruguay’s government debt up 5.9% in 2010 but down to 57.9% of GDP

Uruguay’s government debt increased both in gross and net terms in 2010, although at a slower rate than in 2009. Overall the debt increased 5.9% (1.3 billion US dollars) totalling 23.185 billion USD which is equivalent to 57.6% of GDP, according to the latest release from the central bank.
Friday, April 1st 2011 - 16:33 UTC
Chilean politicians’ expertise helps democratic transition in Egypt

As upheaval continues across the Middle East, the path towards democracy is far from clear. A civil war is raging in Libya as protests become deadly in Syria. The leader
of Yemen is negotiating his removal from power, and Saudi Arabian forces have been called in to help “maintain order” on the streets of Bahrain.
Friday, April 1st 2011 - 06:44 UTC
India’s population hits 1.21 billion in 2011; female foeticide remains high

India's population has grown by 181 million people over the past decade to 1.21bn, according to the 2011 census. More people now live in India than in the United States, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan and Bangladesh combined.