Politics

• Thursday, July 5th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Kirchner tries to smooth Chavez/Lula conflict

  Argentine president Nestor Kirchner called Thursday on his Brazilian counterpart Lula da Silva to help smooth the way so Venezuela can become an active member of Mercosur.

• Wednesday, July 4th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Venezuela/Brazil conflict strains Mercosur project

  Mercosur faces its most serious political crisis following the spiraling conflict between Brazil and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez who publicly announced a three months “ultimatum” for the definitive approval of his country's entry to the main South American trade block.

• Wednesday, July 4th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  “There are rules to belong to Mercosur, but none to leave”

  Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he was looking forward to talk with his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez to discuss the latest Mercosur misunderstandings but he also emphasized that there are rules to become a member of the trade group, but none to leave.

• Tuesday, July 3rd 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil offers resettlement for Palestinian refugees from Iraq

  The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees welcomed an offer by Brazil to resettle an estimated 100 Palestinians formerly living in Iraq starting in mid-September.

• Monday, July 2nd 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Colombian guerrilla accused of killing 11 lawmakers

  

  Colombia's guerrilla movement FARC (Colombian revolutionary armed forces) are the “main culprits” for the death of the eleven local Deputies which they held captive, but so is Colombian president Alvaro Uribe, said on Sunday Melanie Betancourt, daughter of Ingrid Betancourt held at ransom by the Marxist oriented guerrillas.

• Monday, July 2nd 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  US Treasury Secretary visit to Brazil, Uruguay and Chile

  United States Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson will make a week-long trip to South America beginning July 9, his first to the region since taking the position. He is scheduled to visit Brazil, Chile and Uruguay, meeting with the presidents of all three countries as well as Finance ministers and local business leaders.

• Monday, July 2nd 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  October's presidential ticket: Mrs. Kirchner and a “K” governor

  

  An Argentine dissident opposition governor but aligned with the current administration will complete the presidential ticket for next October which as announced over the weekend will be headed by the First Lady, Senator Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

• Sunday, July 1st 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentinian president to swap jobs with wife

  

  Argentine President N&eacutestor Kirchner will not run for reelection in October, but his wife, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, will run in his place, according to Cabinet Chief Alberto Fernandez.

• Saturday, June 30th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  President Hugo Chavez calls for Belarus partnership

  

  Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called for a strategic partnership with Belarus Friday, calling his Belarusian counterpart a &quotbrother-in-arms&quot and lamenting the pressure he said the United States was putting on Minsk and Caracas

• Saturday, June 30th 2007 - 21:00 UTC

  Falklands admitted to the International Cricket Council

  

  The International Cricket Council (ICC) completed a unique 'century' Friday when it admitted four new countries, Cameroon, The Falkland Islands, Peru and Swaziland - taking its membership to 101.