Politics

• Friday, January 22nd 2010 - 14:49 UTC

  Repsol forced to reassess its Bolivian hydrocarbons reserves

  

  Oil company Repsol YPF is studying the impact on its hydrocarbon reserves accounting as a consequence of a change in Bolivian law, but has not made a decision on whether to lower its reserves, a spokesman for Spanish firm confirmed this week in Madrid.

• Friday, January 22nd 2010 - 05:50 UTC

  “A repeat of the Argentine situation” in Uruguay “virtually impossible”

  

  Uruguayan Vice-president elect Danilo Astori said that the institutional-financial “solidness” of the country makes it virtually “impossible” a repeat of the current confrontation between the Argentine government and the Central bank.

• Friday, January 22nd 2010 - 05:15 UTC

  World Bank warns recovery will slow down as fiscal stimulus impact wane

  

  The global economic recovery that is now underway will slow later this year as the impact of fiscal stimulus wanes. Financial markets remain troubled and private sector demand lags amid high unemployment, according to a new report from the World Bank.

• Friday, January 22nd 2010 - 05:12 UTC

  Cristina’s sharp “genius” replies have her again in deep trouble

  

  Turbulent political times seem to be wearing down Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and her lecturing style, forcing her to commit a full blown gaffe, given her long standing defence of human rights and condemnation of the abuses and disappearances committed under Argentine military regimes.

• Friday, January 22nd 2010 - 05:07 UTC

  First repercussions of Mrs Kirchner cancelled visit to China

  

  Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's postponement of her trip to China is still causing repercussions. Argentine ambassador to China, César Mayoral, tried to minimize her absence, although he regretted that “domestic affairs seem to be given more importance than foreign affairs.”

• Friday, January 22nd 2010 - 04:48 UTC

  Forcibly closed Peruvian press accuses government of “political revenge”

  

  Reporters Without Borders, RSF, condemned on Thursday as an act of political revenge from the Peruvian government the cancellation of a television station license, seven months after the same action was taken against radio La Voz de Bagua Grande, also in the Amazonas region

• Friday, January 22nd 2010 - 04:41 UTC

  Honduras closer to normality: Zelaya leaves when Lobo takes office

  

  Honduras president elect Porfirio Lobo said that as soon as the takes office, (next January 27) he will sign a safe-conduct for ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya who will then be authorized to travel to the Dominican Republic.

• Friday, January 22nd 2010 - 04:14 UTC

  German company wants Dakar Rally to stay in South America

  

  Winners Volkswagen wants the Dakar Rally to stay in South America and not to move back to Africa, the spokesman of the carmaker's motor-sport division said late Wednesday. Spokesman Stefan Moser raved about large and enthusiastic crowds at the two editions in Chile and Argentina and named security another aspect in favour of South America.

• Thursday, January 21st 2010 - 12:20 UTC

  Argentine analysts fear diplomatic fallout following CFK China visit cancellation

  

  Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, CFK, last minute decision to cancel next week’s ten day official visit to China alleging she did not trust Vice-president Julio Cobos in her post, has sent shockwaves across Buenos Aires foreign policy circles that fear the political consequences of such an action.

• Thursday, January 21st 2010 - 12:17 UTC

  According to Argentina’s two tier statistics system unemployment fell to 8.4%

  

  Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner announced Wednesday the unemployment rate had fallen from 9.1% to 8.4% in the last quarter of 2009.