Politics

Friday, December 17th 2010 - 06:45 UTC
Mercosur summit launches ambitious action plan to ensure customs union

Mercosur leaders meeting in Brazil launched a plan to adopt common trade, investment and immigration policies to help underpin unprecedented economic growth in the region.
Friday, December 17th 2010 - 06:42 UTC
Paraguayan industry calls Lula da Silva an “arrogant hypocrite”

The Paraguayan Industrial Union, UIP, called Brazilian president Lula da Silva an “arrogant hypocrite” for making promises he never honoured, and attacked President Fernando Lugo for generating ‘overblown fantasy expectations’.
Friday, December 17th 2010 - 00:04 UTC
Lula da Silva named “Gays’ Father Christmas” because “you’re a good guy”

Brazilian president Lula da Silva was named “Gays’ Father Christmas” by the country’s Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Travesties and Transsexuals (ABGLT) organization during a meeting of social groupings at the Planalto Palace (Government House) in Brasilia
Thursday, December 16th 2010 - 23:59 UTC
China and Argentina sign Tax information exchange agreement

China and Argentina signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) in order to improve transparency in the two countries’ bilateral trade and investment.
Thursday, December 16th 2010 - 23:56 UTC
IMF votes aid loan to Ireland, but open to discussions with a new government

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a 22.5 billion Euros loan for Ireland and said it was open to re-negotiating parts of the bailout package with a new government provided its overall targets were adhered to.
Thursday, December 16th 2010 - 18:28 UTC
Argentina’s top businessman warns about inflation and Chinese investments

Argentina’s most influential businessman warned about the “inflationary escalade” which, if not contained can lead to an unfavourable climate for investments. Paolo Rocca, Techint group CEO made the statements during an entrepreneurs’ forum where he called for “business responsibility”, “clear rules of the game”, “transparency” and questioned the landing of Chinese oil corporations in Argentina.
Thursday, December 16th 2010 - 12:05 UTC
CFK names first Security Minister to address the challenge of “social problems”

In an attempt to cope with what has been described as “social problems”, Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner swore in Nilda Garré as new Security Minister and Arturo Puricelli as new Defence Minister during a ceremony at Government House.
Thursday, December 16th 2010 - 03:58 UTC
Australia present at the Mercosur summit in Brazil

Australian Foreign Secretary Kevin Rudd will be present at the two-day Mercosur summit which begins Thursday in Foz de Iguazu. Rudd met on Wednesday with his Brazilian peer Celso Amorim ahead of the summit and in the framework of the “Australia-Brazil Dialogue” created last September.
Thursday, December 16th 2010 - 03:55 UTC
Facebook Mark Zuckerberg is Time’s Person of the year 2010

The creator of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg has been announced as Time magazine’s person of the year 2010, “for changing how we all live our lives in ways that are innovative and even optimistic”.
Thursday, December 16th 2010 - 03:31 UTC
Brazil expects to reach UN Millennium Development Goals by 2012

The Brazilian government announced Tuesday that the country has seen a solid drop in childhood malnutrition which, together with the social progress achieved in other areas, meets the criteria under the U.N. Millennium Development Goals for the eradication of extreme poverty.