Politics

• Friday, June 24th 2011 - 21:50 UTC

  Mercosur summit in Paraguay; Uruguay takes the chair for the next 6 months

  

  Presidents from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Ecuador have confirmed they will be attending the Mercosur summit in Paraguay next June 28/29, when the rotating chair of the group for the next six months will pass on to Uruguay.

• Friday, June 24th 2011 - 19:59 UTC

  Venezuela’s Chavez health and prolonged recovery turns into political controversy

  

  Two weeks after surgery in Cuba, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez is “stronger than ever” but will not rush home until he is ready, announced Defence minister General Carlos Mata Figueroa.

• Friday, June 24th 2011 - 19:02 UTC

  Upgraded HMS Illustrious is converted to helicopter and commando carrier

  

  The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious has begun sea trials following a £40m maintenance and upgrade program. 'Lusty' left Rosyth after 16 months during which she was converted into a helicopter and commando carrier, and should return to the fleet at the end of July.

• Friday, June 24th 2011 - 18:33 UTC

  China readies its first carrier, “a symbol of a great nation”

  

  Chinese military officials have confirmed that the country is completing work on its first aircraft carrier, based on the hull of Russian carrier Varyag.

• Friday, June 24th 2011 - 11:32 UTC

  Chile’s largest indigenous group, Mapuches celebrate New Year

  

  When the sun began to set on Thursday evening, the Mapuche people prepared for one of the most ancient celebrations in their history: the We-tripantu, or the New Year.

• Friday, June 24th 2011 - 10:59 UTC

  Brazil and Spain, leading candidates for next head of FAO

  

  Brazilian and Spanish candidates are leading the field for the Sunday June 26 upcoming election for the next head of the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, the UN agency leading the struggle against global hunger.

• Friday, June 24th 2011 - 10:45 UTC

  Chilean officials fear Bolivia’s car amnesty program will encourage more thefts

  

  Bolivia’s government estimates that 85,000 cars will benefit from its new amnesty program that allows undocumented vehicles to register without prior paperwork. Chileans are not pleased about the path to immunity.

• Friday, June 24th 2011 - 02:41 UTC

  Summers wins Falklands MLA seat: favours strong response to Argentina and north-south links

  

  Former member of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly, Mike Summers has been voted back into the government by a substantial margin. Voting took place in Stanley on Thursday in a by-election, which saw 51% of the electorate going to the polls.

• Thursday, June 23rd 2011 - 23:19 UTC

  Release of strategic reserves (to counter Libya’s absence) rattles world oil market

  

  Oil rose in New York, recovering from a plunge sparked by an International Energy Agency announcement that its members will release crude from strategic reserves.

• Thursday, June 23rd 2011 - 21:31 UTC

  Brazilian president ‘votes’ for Cristina Fernandez and anticipates re-election

  

  Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff said she is convinced of her Argentine peer Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner re-election victory next October 23. Argentina is Brazil’s main associate in Mercosur and third trade partner.