Politics

• Monday, August 10th 2009 - 11:09 UTC

  Unasur summit faces charged agenda of controversial issues

  

  An “ethics responsibly” clause for the media and a strong criticism of the current financial architecture in South America and the global crisis are two controversial issues added to the already charged agenda of the Unasur summit which opens Monday in Quito, Ecuador.

• Monday, August 10th 2009 - 11:01 UTC

  Honduras interim rulers reject visit from OAS high-level delegation

  

  The interim government of Honduras has said it will not allow a high-level delegation from the Organisation of American States to visit for talks. It said OAS chief Jose Miguel Insulza would not be an impartial observer.

• Saturday, August 8th 2009 - 14:17 UTC

  Obama denies the US plans to set military bases in Colombia

  

  President Barack Obama joined Friday a controversy boiling in South America by denying the United States is planning to set up military bases in Colombia as part of an upgraded security agreement with Bogotá. “There have been those in the region who have been trying to play this up as part of a traditional anti-Yankee rhetoric. This is not accurate,” Obama told Hispanic media reporters.

• Saturday, August 8th 2009 - 14:03 UTC

  Unasur summit to address the Colombia-US forces controversy

  

  The Union of South American Nations, UNASUR will debate the creation of four ministerial councils on narcotics-traffic, infrastructure, culture and education and social development during the summit hosted by Ecuador which begins next Monday.

• Saturday, August 8th 2009 - 13:51 UTC

  Prostitution ring recruited 15-year old girls at school doors

  

  A Brazilian woman accused of heading a prostitution ring that recruited only 15-year-old and younger girls which were later distributed around the country has been detained by the police of Brazil.

• Saturday, August 8th 2009 - 13:46 UTC

  “We are a bunch of crooks, with no credibility” admits Brazilian senator

  

  “We are but a bunch of crooks that have lost all credibility with our citizens” following months of claims of corruption practices in the Upper House, said Brazilian Senator Demostenes Torres during a rowdy congressional debate.

• Saturday, August 8th 2009 - 13:35 UTC

  UK reasserts authority over Gibraltar’s waters

  

  Defra, the United Kingdom’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has reasserted UK’s authority over Gibraltar waters and objects to Spain’s designation. The statement of position comes as the Foreign Office is expected to announce its position in relation to Gibraltar’s lawsuit against the European Commission in this respect.

• Friday, August 7th 2009 - 12:50 UTC

  Mercosur works if Brazil makes it work, said Uruguayan presidential hopeful

  

  The Uruguayan ruling coalition presidential candidate Jose Mujica said Brazilian president Lula da Silva promised to help speed power inter-connection between the two neighbouring countries, in the framework of Mercosur, in spite of Argentina’s non supportive attitude. He also underlined Mercosur depends on Brazil’s willingness.

• Friday, August 7th 2009 - 12:41 UTC

  Paraguayan Senate not interested in having Venezuela in Mercosur

  

  The Paraguayan Congress is not interested in considering the protocol for Venezuela’s incorporation to Mercosur said Senator Miguel Carrioza, president of the Upper house.

• Friday, August 7th 2009 - 12:38 UTC

  US forces in Colombia controversy: Uribe’s tour considered “positive”

  

  Colombian president Alvaro Uribe three day visit to seven South American countries to explain to his peers the extent of the military understanding with Washington, which includes deployment of US forces in seven Colombian bases, concluded with descriptions of “positive”, “cordial” and “very important”.