Politics

• Thursday, September 17th 2009 - 13:35 UTC

  “Isolated” Colombia seriously considering abandoning Unasur

  

  Colombia could consider quitting the South American Nations Union, Unasur, if the block does not agree to debate issues related to drug trafficking, terrorism and arms purchases. There is a lack of “sensitivity” from other members to consider these issues.

• Thursday, September 17th 2009 - 13:26 UTC

  China to invest 16 billion USD to develop new oilfields in Venezuela

  

  Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced Wednesday that China will invest 16 billion US dollars to boost oil production in the country particularly along the Orinoco River, as part of a strategy to reduce dependence on the US market.

• Thursday, September 17th 2009 - 13:23 UTC

  OECD warns of 25 million jobless in industrialized countries

  

  The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) says the global recession could cost 25 million people their jobs. This is despite recent signs that economies of its 30 member countries may be starting to recover.

• Thursday, September 17th 2009 - 13:19 UTC

  US/China “tit for tat” tires’ trade clash sounds alarm bell in WTO

  

  World Trade Organization Director General Pascal Lamy expressed concern Wednesday about the latest move from the US President Obama administration to restrict imports of Chinese-made tires.

• Thursday, September 17th 2009 - 13:10 UTC

  Jobless number climbs to 2.47 million in Britain, highest since 1997

  

  British unions and employers have reacted with alarm after unemployment surged to a 14-year high prompting fresh calls for Government help for the growing army of jobless. The total now stands at 2.47 million following a 210,000 rise in the three months to July.

• Thursday, September 17th 2009 - 04:31 UTC

  Spanish apology to Argentina for “protocol error” involving Falklands’ delegation

  

  Argentina formally accepted Wednesday apologies from the Spanish government which admitted having committed a “protocol error” on allowing the presence of a delegation from the Falkland Islands in an international fisheries sustainability conference, reports Efe, the Spanish government news agency quoting the head of Argentina’s Fisheries Department Norberto Yauhar.

• Wednesday, September 16th 2009 - 21:58 UTC

  Argentina protests Falklands participation in fishing summit

  

  FALKLANDS delegates at an important fisheries conference in Spain were infuriated this morning by an Argentine protest against their participation. The First World Summit on Fishing Sustainability is taking place in Baiona, Pontevedra.

• Wednesday, September 16th 2009 - 12:36 UTC

  Uruguay and US express concern over possible arms race in South America

  

  Uruguay and the United States expressed concern Tuesday that recent weapons purchases could lead to an arms race in South America. In a joint appearance, Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton also pledged co-operation on trade, scientific research and other fields.

• Wednesday, September 16th 2009 - 12:30 UTC

  Unasur could not reach consensus on regional military affairs

  

  The Union of South American Nations, UNASUR, ministerial meeting in Ecuador ended Tuesday with no consensus on regional military issues reported Colombia’s Foreign Affairs minister Jaime Bermúdez.

• Wednesday, September 16th 2009 - 12:15 UTC

  US Senator introduced bill to extend trade benefits to Uruguay

  

  United States Senator Richard Lugar, the ranking Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, introduced a bill Tuesday to extend US trade benefits to Uruguay. The move he says would increase pressure on Brazil to deepen commercial ties.