Politics

• Wednesday, December 15th 2010 - 23:25 UTC

  Brazil world’s fifth economy by 2016, anticipates Lula da Silva

  

  On presenting a review of his eight years in office, Brazilian president Lula da Silva forecasted that Brazil would become the world’s fifth economy by 2016. He also underlined that under his administration combating hunger had become a “national cause” and for him a personal pride.

• Wednesday, December 15th 2010 - 23:00 UTC

  Inter American Court ruling serious human rights set back for Brazil

  

  In what is considered a historic ruling the Inter-American Court of Human Rights from the Organization of American States held the Brazilian state responsible for the forced disappearance of 62 alleged members of the Araguaia guerrilla movement- a small armed band of communists and Trotskyites crushed by military operations between 1972 and 1974.

• Wednesday, December 15th 2010 - 22:30 UTC

  Irish parliament approves multi-billon Euro EU/IMF bailout package

  

  Ireland's parliament on Wednesday approved (81 to 75) a multi-billion Euro EU/IMF bailout package in the face of opposition threats to renegotiate the deal to force losses on some senior bondholders in Irish banks.

• Wednesday, December 15th 2010 - 05:53 UTC

  Mercosur: a High Representative post to create “consensus” in summit’s agenda

  

  Mercosur could end up with a High Representative post following this coming presidential summit in Foz de Iguazu. According to Brazilian sources the initiative has been discussed with partners Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay and should be approved next Thursday/Friday.

• Wednesday, December 15th 2010 - 04:31 UTC

  Fed admits economic recovery too soft to bring down unemployment level

  

  The US economic recovery is still too soft to bring down the country's high level of unemployment, the Federal Reserve warned on Tuesday. The central bank made the comment as it reaffirmed its commitment to continue purchasing 600 billion in bonds to stimulate the economy.

• Wednesday, December 15th 2010 - 02:57 UTC

  CFK names professional politician and bureaucrat Defence minister

  

  Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner appointed on Tuesday former provincial governor Arturo Antonio Puricelli to replace Defence Minister Nilda Garre, who will be taking the reins the new ministry responsible for domestic security.

• Wednesday, December 15th 2010 - 01:51 UTC

  Falklands’ war film to be done in Isle of Man on time for 30th anniversary

  

  An independent feature film about the Falklands War will be made on the Isle of Man next spring. The project is called ‘Betrayed’ and charts a soldier's battle with post traumatic stress disorder.

• Tuesday, December 14th 2010 - 17:46 UTC

  Brazil has become “unavoidable partner” in the global decision-making process

  

  Brazil has the necessary conditions, and authority, to actively participate in the current international transformations as the world moves away from the “traditional governance mechanisms”, and for which Brazil, India and South Africa have become “unavoidable partners” in the decision making process.

• Tuesday, December 14th 2010 - 14:11 UTC

  Uribe confirms Wikileaks: he was prepared to cross into Venezuela territory

  

  Former Colombian president Alvaro Uribe (2002-2010) confirmed the contents of a confidential US State Department confidential cable exposed by Wikileaks, according to which he contemplated sending troops across into Venezuelan territory to capture and arrest FARC guerrilla leaders.

• Tuesday, December 14th 2010 - 06:48 UTC

  Brazilian president-elect will work for stronger Mercosur institutions

  

  Brazilian president-elect Dilma Rousseff will attempt to strengthen Mercosur institutions and establish a protagonist dialogue with United States, according to the presidential advisor on international affaire Marco Aurelio García who has been confirmed in his post.