Politics

Wednesday, May 5th 2010 - 06:24 UTC
Sale of French Frigates to Taiwan Exposes 591 Million USD in “Commissions”

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou and Premier Wu Den-yih praised the decision this week by an international court of arbitration to force French defence group Thales to pay Taiwan more than 591 million US dollars as a sanction for the payment of commissions in the purchase of Lafayette frigates from France.
Wednesday, May 5th 2010 - 06:15 UTC
Argentine Judge Annuls Gay Marriage; Congress Debates Same Sex Civil Unions

An Argentine national judge annulled on Tuesday a gay marriage between an Argentine national and a French businessman which took place five days ago, according to the Argentine news agency Telam.
Wednesday, May 5th 2010 - 06:07 UTC
Obama Administration Pushes for Fee on Large Banks to Pay for Bailouts

United States big banks should be charged a fee to pay for bailouts as it will make them less prone to reckless lending, US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told lawmakers as he sought support for the proposal.
Wednesday, May 5th 2010 - 06:00 UTC
Argentine Dictatorship Former Economy Minister Arrested Accused of Kidnapping

Former economy minister José Martínez de Hoz, the economic brains behind the 1976-1983 military dictatorship, has been arrested and transferred to a clinic after an amnesty law was lifted, a court official has said.
Wednesday, May 5th 2010 - 02:51 UTC
Argentine Government Thwarts Pulp Mill Activists Heading for UNASUR Summit

In what was considered a change in approach by the Argentine Government, several minivans and cars with Gualeguaychú activists that were heading to the UNASUR summit in Campana, Buenos Aires province, were delayed Tuesday by police at a crucial inter-provincial bridge.
Wednesday, May 5th 2010 - 02:49 UTC
EU Wants to Reactivate Negotiations with Mercosur for Association Agreement

The European Commission (EC) has proposed to reactivate its negotiations with Mercosur, stagnant since 2004, with the objective of reaching an association agreement. In its weekly meeting, the EU executive decided to re-establish discussions with Mercosur since it considers “that an eventual pact could generate economic benefits for both parts,” according to an EC communiqué.
Wednesday, May 5th 2010 - 01:27 UTC
Cuba Fires Ministers, Considers Opening Sugar Industry to Foreign Investors

Cuban President Raúl Castro replaced two high-level government ministers citing errors and incompetence, in the latest round of replacements at top-level government posts. There are also signs that Cuba might turn the sugar industry to foreign investment.
Wednesday, May 5th 2010 - 01:03 UTC
Two Royal Navy Nuclear Subs Allowed to Sea with “Serious” Potential Risk

Two Royal Navy nuclear submarines were allowed to sea with a safety defect putting the vessels at “serious” potential risk, it was revealed.
Tuesday, May 4th 2010 - 19:53 UTC
Falklands’ Stamps Commemorates Battle of Britain and 10 Spitfires Donation

A new stamp issue for the Falkland Islands and Ascension Island has been announced by Pobjoy Mint, commemorating the Battle of Britain and Churchill’s “Few”.
Tuesday, May 4th 2010 - 18:58 UTC
Kirchner Gets UNASUR Job; Mujica Admits “Political Cost” but Privileges Unity

Former Argentine president Nestor Kirchner was sworn Tuesday as Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations, UNASUR, following the consensus reached among the twelve country members overcoming differences of previous meetings.