Politics

Saturday, February 7th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Uruguay's ruling coalition primary “nasty and foul”

One of Uruguay's ruling coalition presidential hopefuls claimed the primary campaign was turning “nasty” and could leave “deep wounds” plus mistrust and called for a “clean, respectful campaign”. He admitted that he could be the target of an inside boycott.
Friday, February 6th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Colombia's FARC releases last civilian hostage

Colombia's Revolutionary Armed Forces, FARC, released Thursday the last civilian among a group of 22 so-called political captives held by the rebels. Two Red Cross helicopters were involved in the release of the former lawmaker Sigifredo Lopez, 45, held captive by the drug-funded group for almost seven years.
Friday, February 6th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
FARC committed war crimes and act on paranoiac cowardice

The last civilian hostage to be released by the Colombian rebel group FARC revealed that eleven of his kidnapped peers were killed shot in the back, by the guerrillas in an act of what he described as “paranoiac cowardice”.
Friday, February 6th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
UNESCO calls for preservation of HMS Victory wreck

The head of the United Nations cultural agency today called for the preservation of a British man-o-war sent to the bottom of the English Channel by a storm in 1744 with all hands and, it is said, a sizeable gold treasure.
Friday, February 6th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News Update

Headlines: Liberty Lodge: ready and welcoming; Speaker resigns over insider trading; Formal hearing over drugs loss.
Friday, February 6th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Wrong policies will cost Argentine farmers 12.5 billion this year

Lack of rainfall, collapse of commodities prices plus misguided camp policies from the Argentine government will cost farmers a fall in income of 43 billion pesos (equivalent to 12.5 billion US dollars) in 2009 compared to last year, according to the Argentine Rural Confederations, CRA.
Thursday, February 5th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Brazilian opposition delays Venezuela's Mercosur bid

Members of the Brazilian Congress opposition again delayed on Wednesday the consideration of Venezuela's Mercosur incorporation protocol, in spite of strong appeals from the ruling coalition of President Lula da Silva.
Thursday, February 5th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
UK trade unions win first labour “protectionism” case

UK oil refinery workers who walked out in a dispute over foreign labour have agreed to return to work. Hundreds of workers at the Lindsey Oil Refinery, in North Lincolnshire, voted to end their unofficial industrial action after accepting a deal drawn up by union officials and companies at the heart of the row.
Thursday, February 5th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
US Senate softens controversial “Buy American” clause

The US Senate has voted to soften a controversial “Buy American” clause in an economic recovery package, after warnings it might spark a trade war. The clause had sought to ensure only US iron, steel and manufactured goods were used in projects funded by the bill.
Thursday, February 5th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Argentina's unions challenge wage policy in election year

Argentina's powerful trade unions are stepping up calls for salary increases despite an economic slowdown and since it is election year they could win double-digit hikes to offset inflation.