Politics

• Wednesday, January 13th 2010 - 12:16 UTC

  Argentine central bank reserves dispute adds another player: New York Judge

  

  Argentina’s central bank reserves dispute suffered an expected escalation when on Tuesday Judge Thomas Griesa from New York State placed an embargo on Argentine central bank accounts held in the United States, following a lawsuit filed by investment funds (or “vulture funds”).

• Wednesday, January 13th 2010 - 10:53 UTC

  Uribe’s re-election bid for a third term supported by Colombia’s ombudsman

  

  Colombia's Constitutional Court should approve a referendum to allow President Alvaro Uribe to run for re-election, the country's ombudsman said on Tuesday, which could open the way for a third consecutive mandate bid in the coming May presidential elections.

• Wednesday, January 13th 2010 - 08:41 UTC

  Mujica in Argentina to discuss agenda of “mutual interest issues”

  

  Uruguayan president elect Jose Mujica travelled Tuesday to Buenos Aires to hold a meeting with her Argentine peer Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and other officials, confirming his promise that “we need a healthy and strong relation with Argentina”.

• Wednesday, January 13th 2010 - 08:29 UTC

  Brazilian industry calls for end of “strategic patience” trade policy with Argentina

  

  Brazil’s strongest manufacturing organization (and lobby) is considering the possibility that the country “ceases to be tolerant” towards Argentine trade restrictions and consider the possibility of withdrawing from Mercosur.

• Wednesday, January 13th 2010 - 08:26 UTC

  Chavez keeps his word and closes shops for price rises following devaluation

  

  Venezuelan government inspectors backed by soldiers have shut more than 70 shops in Caracas and other cities accused of trying to cash in on last week's currency devaluation. Soldiers have been on the streets to check prices as people queue to buy imports, fearing prices could rise.

• Wednesday, January 13th 2010 - 08:07 UTC

  Power debacle in Venezuela: four-hours rotating black outs in major cities

  

  Venezuela announced electricity cuts on a rotating basis to sections of the country’s capital Caracas and major cities as the government deepens energy rationing amid a drought. In December major industries were forced to limit production.

• Tuesday, January 12th 2010 - 17:35 UTC

  Dispute over Argentine Central Bank reserves faces long judicial dispute

  

  Argentine Federal Judge María José Sarmiento postponed Monday her ruling over the use of Central Bank currency reserves to meet 2010 debt payments by turning the government's 'appeal on grounds of unconstitutionality' into an ordinary trial.

• Tuesday, January 12th 2010 - 17:33 UTC

  FT: In the path to prosperity Argentina tripped with the Kirchners

  

  The Financial Times, a reference for global finances, has published an editorial comment highly critical of Argentina’s presidential Kirchner couple and their latest attempt to keep their cash-strapped administration afloat: getting hold of Central Bank reserves to pay debts and recover long lost international creditworthiness.

• Tuesday, January 12th 2010 - 17:19 UTC

  Martin Redrado, from “golden boy” to centre stage

  

  Martin Redrado the Argentine reinstated Central Bank president who dared defy the all powerful presidential Kirchner-couple is a low profile liberal economist who became involved in politics with former president Carlos Menem.

• Tuesday, January 12th 2010 - 04:29 UTC

  China’s foreign trade expands again becoming the world’s largest exporter

  

  China's exports rose 17.7% in December, state media have reported, suggesting the country has overtaken Germany as the world's largest exporter. The rise, compared to a year earlier, breaks a 13-month decline in trade as a result of the global downturn.