Politics

Thursday, July 2nd 2009 - 12:27 UTC
Conservative, pro business president takes office in Panama

Ricardo Martinelli, the multimillionaire owner of a supermarket chain, was inaugurated as president of Panama on Wednesday. National Assembly President Jose Luis Varela performed the swearing-in and placed the presidential sash on Martinelli, a pro-business conservative who in May defeated a candidate from the ruling center-left party.
Thursday, July 2nd 2009 - 09:17 UTC
Gibraltar plans to purchase vessels “to put an end to Spanish incursions”

The Gibraltar Government plans to boost its presence in Gibraltar’s territorial waters by purchasing larger vessels with which to enforce its jurisdiction reports the Gibraltar Chronicle. Chief Minister Peter Caruana made a brief reference to the plan during his closing address to Parliament at the end of last week’s budget session.
Thursday, July 2nd 2009 - 08:17 UTC
PM Brown and Tory leader Cameron clash over public spending cuts

The leader of the British opposition, David Cameron has accused the Prime Minister of “deceit” over public spending cuts. Tory leader Cameron rounded on Mr Brown at Commons question time, after he again claimed the Tories were planning 10% cuts.
Wednesday, July 1st 2009 - 13:07 UTC
Leading Senator calls for US trade benefits to Uruguay, “bypassing” Mercosur

United States Senator Richard Lugar, the ranking Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee is urging the US to extend trade benefits to Uruguay, bypassing Mercosur, a move he says would also increase pressure on Brazil to deepen commercial ties.
Wednesday, July 1st 2009 - 12:56 UTC
“Kirchnerism is finished” but “not the Peronist party”

“Kirchnerism is finished” said the governor from the Patagonian province of Chubut and presidential hopeful, Mario Das Neves following a meeting on Tuesday with Buenos Aires Governor Daniel Scioli to discuss the next steps of the Peronist Party.
Wednesday, July 1st 2009 - 12:50 UTC
US Democrats consolidate control of the Senate with 61 seats

The state of Minnesota's Supreme Court declared Democrat Al Franken the winner of the disputed 2008 US Senate race thus giving the Democrats their 60th vote.
Wednesday, July 1st 2009 - 12:44 UTC
MPs call for an end to all UK military aid to Colombia

British Members of Parliament from all parties are calling for an end to all UK military aid to Colombia, citing murders and human rights abuses by the country's security forces. The MPs have launched a TUC-backed group called Friends of Colombia.
Wednesday, July 1st 2009 - 12:33 UTC
Peruvian government saved from Congressional censure motion

The Peruvian Congress was unable to muster the necessary votes to censure Prime Minister Yehude Simon and Minister of Interior Mercedes Cabanillas over the recent violent clashes in the Amazonia region which left scores of dead both among policemen and the protesting indigenous communities.
Wednesday, July 1st 2009 - 12:24 UTC
Honduras president offers deal to end constitutional crisis

Honduras president Manuel Zelaya offered a deal Tuesday to the military leaders who ousted him - he'll quit in January if allowed to return and serve out his term in office.
Tuesday, June 30th 2009 - 15:22 UTC
Honduran’s Zelaya president vows to return

The Honduran president ousted by a military coup and forced into exile has said he will return home on Thursday. Speaking in the Nicaraguan capital, Managua, late on Monday, Manuel Zelaya said: “I go to Tegucigalpa on Thursday. I'm the elected president, I will fulfil my four-year term.”