Politics

Friday, February 4th 2011 - 21:02 UTC
EU top official visits Uruguay/Paraguay to advance trade talks with Mercosur

The European Union Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht will travel next week to Paraguay and Uruguay to reinforce bilateral relations and to advance on the ongoing EU/Mercosur negotiations to reach an overall trade and cooperation agreement.
Friday, February 4th 2011 - 05:18 UTC
US and Egyptian officials discussing transition plan without Mubarak

United States and Egyptian officials are discussing a plan that would see embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak step down immediately, according to a published report.
Friday, February 4th 2011 - 05:04 UTC
Army poised for endgame in Egypt

By 3pm last Friday afternoon, the protesters in central Cairo were chanting: “Where is the army? Come and see what the police are doing to us. We want the army.” And that is the main question, really. Where is the Egyptian army in all this?
Thursday, February 3rd 2011 - 22:17 UTC
Brazil to provide free medicines for high blood pressure and diabetes

Brazil is to provide free medicines for everyone suffering from high blood pressure or diabetes. The drugs will be distributed as of next month through a nationwide network of budget pharmacies, where many medicines are already heavily subsidised.
Thursday, February 3rd 2011 - 22:05 UTC
Vodafone forced to send pro-Mubarak mobile-phone text messages

UK’s Vodafone was ordered to send mobile-phone text messages by the Egyptian government, urging people to confront “traitors and criminals” as demonstrators demanded the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.
Thursday, February 3rd 2011 - 21:54 UTC
Brazilian industry loosing world market share to main trading partner, China

Competition with top trading partner China is costing Brazilian industry valuable market share, the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) in South America's largest economy said on Thursday.
Thursday, February 3rd 2011 - 21:17 UTC
With inflation pressures ‘contained’, ECB leaves interest rates unchanged

European Central Bank (ECB) has kept interest rates in the Euro zone unchanged at a record low 1%, despite fears of increasing inflation. Speaking at a press conference after the rate decision, the ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet claimed that inflation pressures remained contained.
Thursday, February 3rd 2011 - 06:35 UTC
Chavez celebrates 12 years in office and anticipates six more

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez celebrated Wednesday his twelfth anniversary in power saying he is ready to battle for six more years in elections next year. Chavez said in a televised speech that “the battle has begun” for his 2012 re-election.
Thursday, February 3rd 2011 - 06:31 UTC
Cairo’s Tahir Square battle rages on; snipers shooting on protestors

Gunfire has rung out in the early hours of Thursday around Cairo's Tahrir Square, where Egyptian anti-government protesters are camping out. At least two people are reported dead. On Wednesday three died in clashes with supporters of President Hosni Mubarak.
Thursday, February 3rd 2011 - 01:53 UTC
Spain’s second biggest bank boosted by strong Latin American profits

BBVA, Spain's second-biggest bank, reported on Wednesday a full year 9.4% net profit increase in 2010 as solid results from Latin America offset continued weakness in its domestic market.