Politics

Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 10:11 UTC
Uruguay’s public debt to abandon foreign currencies for local Pesos

Uruguay this year plans to swap part of its foreign-currency bonds for debt denominated in Pesos, said Economy Minister Fernando Lorenzo. Uruguay will also sell Peso securities and use the proceeds to pay off bonds denominated in other currencies, Lorenzo said without providing further details.
Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 10:06 UTC
Argentina under pressure to approve anti money-laundering legislation

The Argentine administration of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner called Wednesday on the opposition lawmakers to pass an anti money laundering bill before June other wise Argentina could be black-listed for not having the proper controls.
Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 09:11 UTC
Portugal admits the facts, formally requests a bailout from the EU

Portugal's caretaker government said on Wednesday it had decided to seek financing from the European Union in an abrupt turnaround after resisting a bailout for months despite sharply deteriorating financial conditions.
Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 09:08 UTC
“If we don’t unite, Cristina beats us with 40% of the vote”, warns Duhalde

Argentina’s presidential hopeful and former caretaker president Eduardo Duhalde warned that if the opposition doesn’t unite, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner will defeat them next October 23 and be re-elected for a second four year mandate.
Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 09:01 UTC
Colombia and Obama closer to having US Congress approve free trade agreement

White House officials said the United States and Colombia have reached a deal on a free trade agreement. President Barack Obama and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos are to meet Thursday to discuss the deal.
Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 08:56 UTC
Brazil rejects as ‘unjustified’ request to halt work on a huge dam in the Amazon

Brazil has said a request to halt work on its massive hydro-electric dam in the Amazon rainforest is unjustified despite environmental concerns. Brazil's foreign ministry was responding to the request by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 08:43 UTC
Unasur letter supporting Argentina’s Malvinas claims delivered to Ban Ki-moon

Foreign Affairs minister Hector Timerman met Wednesday with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and reiterated Argentina’s sovereignty claim over the Falklands/Malvinas and other South Atlantic Islands this time reinforced with a formal request from the Union of South American Nations, Unasur leaders in support of Argentina’s “historic and legitimate rights”.
Wednesday, April 6th 2011 - 19:48 UTC
Instituto Cervantes at a new home in Gibraltar with a vast program of activities

Spain’s Instituto Cervantes for the promotion of Spanish language and culture opened this week its doors at Cloister Building in Gibraltar. The local director of the institute, Francisco Oda said that the centre was ready to welcome everyone now that it had moved to its home in Market Lane.
Wednesday, April 6th 2011 - 18:44 UTC
Argentina opens boat access to Tierra del Fuego eliminating Chilean crossing

Argentina’s government is opening a new path to Tierra del Fuego that will give travellers, who once had to pass through Chile to reach the southernmost tip of the continent, the option of skipping Chile altogether.
Wednesday, April 6th 2011 - 15:48 UTC
UK increases funds for South Georgia and the British Antarctic Territory

The UK Government has announced it is to increase funds for South Georgia and the other UK Overseas Territories. On March 10th the UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, William Hague, announced the increase of the Overseas Territories Programme Fund to £7m per year and a special one off payment of £1 million to GSGSSI this year, reports the March edition of South Georgia Newsletter.