Politics

• Thursday, August 26th 2010 - 05:02 UTC

  US closely following Argentine debate on freedom of the press

  

  United States Department of State Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner said President Barack Obama's administration is “closely” watching the debate on press freedom in Argentina.

• Thursday, August 26th 2010 - 04:59 UTC

  Argentine government promises free public access to internet

  

  The Argentine government has said it is working to create areas of free public access to the internet across the country through wireless networks.

• Thursday, August 26th 2010 - 03:41 UTC

  Mercosur spends less that 2% of GDP in defence; “no arms race in the region”

  

  South America and particularly Mercosur spend less than 2% of GDP in military hardware which makes it the world region that less invests in defence, said a high ranking official from the Barak Obama administration visiting Paraguay.

• Thursday, August 26th 2010 - 03:35 UTC

  UPM/Botnia pulp mill conflict: pickets vote to challenge agreement

  

  Argentina’s Gualeguaychú Assembly members decided to once again return to blocking the National Route 136 and this way obstruct the international road to neighbouring Uruguay; however, the measure will only take place during the Sundays of September and for a limited time, which came as a surprise.

• Thursday, August 26th 2010 - 03:17 UTC

  Lula da Silva warns Brazil is falling back in 2014 World Cup infrastructure

  

  Brazil’s president Lula da Silva cautioned preparations for the 2014 World Cup could be jeopardized if government officials and businessmen fail to work together in the coming years.

• Thursday, August 26th 2010 - 03:16 UTC

  Chavez faces the toughest election in his more than 11 years in office

  

  Oil rich Venezuela’s September 26 legislative elections campaign was officially launched Wednesday which promise to be a tough test for President Hugo Chavez following a year of recession, growing inflation and rampant crime rate.

• Thursday, August 26th 2010 - 02:59 UTC

  Brazil-Chile plan to build military cargo planes to replace ageing Hercules C-130

  

  Brazil and Chile announced they will jointly manufacture military cargo airplanes as a first step towards closer long term cooperation in military hardware. The announcement was done by Brazilian Defense minister Nelson Jobim during a visit to Santiago.

• Thursday, August 26th 2010 - 00:55 UTC

  Several countries petitioning Mediterranean diet be listed as cultural heritage

  

  The Mediterranean nations of Italy, Greece, Morocco, and Spain are petitioning to have their staple diet listed as a cultural heritage item by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

• Thursday, August 26th 2010 - 00:51 UTC

  Uruguay committed to Mercosur, but also to greater world diversification

  

  While Uruguay supports the regional trade group Mercosur, “we are also trying to diversify the economy more to other parts of the world” said central bank president Mario Bergara during his recent visit to meet investors in New York.

• Thursday, August 26th 2010 - 00:47 UTC

  “Political dialogue” with Colombian guerrillas on UNASUR table

  

  Ecuador said it would be contacting Colombian officials regarding the Colombian guerrillas FARC proposal for a “political dialogue” in the framework of the Union of South American Nations, UNASUR.