Politics

Thursday, November 25th 2010 - 21:24 UTC
Germany out of the woods and heading for full employment, says minister

Germany’s Economy minister Rainer Bruederle has given an upbeat assessment of his country's recovery, including the assertion that “full employment will soon be possible”. He said that Germans were “doing well and spending again”, and that domestic consumption was strong.
Thursday, November 25th 2010 - 20:44 UTC
“Favelas’ war” rages in Rio do Janeiro for fifth day running: 30 dead

Armoured personnel carriers from the Brazilian navy rolled through smoke-filled streets in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday as police battled (favelas) slum-based drug gangs for a fifth consecutive day leaving at least 30 dead and almost 200 arrested.
Thursday, November 25th 2010 - 04:34 UTC
Latinamerica not involved in an arms race and can further reduce defence costs

Latinamerican countries are not involved in an arms race and can further cut into military expenditure because it is essentially a region of peace, said the Defence ministers of the Americas IXth conference meeting in Bolivia.
Thursday, November 25th 2010 - 04:26 UTC
The Economist analyzes Uruguay’s debate on rejecting the “Expiration Law”

Néstor Kirchner Argentina’s late former president first became popular by pushing for the repeal of the amnesties and pardons that prior governments had granted to members of the country’s bloody 1976-83 dictatorship. Argentines cheered when the Supreme Court ruled the laws unconstitutional in 2005, and have supported the hundreds of prosecutions for human-rights abuses that have been launched since then.
Wednesday, November 24th 2010 - 21:21 UTC
Falklands/Malvinas: Brazil joins Argentina in criticizing UK’s “unilateral actions”

The Brazilian government questioned UK’s “unilateral actions” regarding the (Falklands) Malvinas Islands and called for the sovereignty “long standing dispute” to reach “as soon as possible a solution”.
Wednesday, November 24th 2010 - 21:02 UTC
Promoting trade and political links with Africa, Lula da Silva’s next job

A Lula da Silva Institute will be fully involved in Africa, the world’s poorest continent, and (Brazilian) President Lula will be fully dedicated to that task when he steps down from office next January first, announced a top Brazilian official.
Wednesday, November 24th 2010 - 20:21 UTC
IMF mission arrives in Buenos Aires first week of December

The International Monetary Fund confirmed Argentina’s request for technical assistance on the elaboration of a Consumer Price Index (CPI). In a statement release by Nicolas Eyzaguirre, Director of the Western Hemisphere Department added “we are currently in contact with the authorities on planning the missions”.
Wednesday, November 24th 2010 - 20:17 UTC
Rousseff confirms flexible-orthodox Tombini to head Brazil’s central bank

Brazilian president-elect Dilma Rousseff press office announced Thursday that economist Alexandre Tombini will be the next president of the central bank; economist Guido Mantega will continue as Finance minister and engineer Miriam Belchoir coordinator of PAC (program to bolster growth) will become Planning and Budget minister.
Wednesday, November 24th 2010 - 20:03 UTC
Irish government slashes benefits and raises taxes: VAT 24%

The Irish government has unveiled a range of tough austerity measures designed to help solve the country's debt crisis. Among the spending cuts and tax rises are a reduction in the minimum wage, a new property tax and thousands of public sector job cuts.
Wednesday, November 24th 2010 - 19:57 UTC
Final journey for a HMS Ark Royal formation of Harrier jump jets

A formation of Harrier jump jets has made their final journey from HMS Ark Royal - the last such flight from a UK aircraft carrier for about 10 years. The four GR9 jets marked the end of an era when they roared off the deck near North Shields, North Tyneside. Both the Ark Royal and the Harriers are being scrapped under cost-saving plans.