Politics

• Friday, April 4th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Colombian rebels demand a major exchange of prisoners

  A leader of Colombia's rebel group FARC ruled out the release of a high profile seriously ill French-Colombian hostage, (“she will remain in our camps”), unless there is a major prisoner exchange. The statement cast doubt on a French humanitarian mission sent to treat her.

• Friday, April 4th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News Update

  

  Headlines: Happy Birthday RAF!; Blind runner embarks upon marathon challenge; Who will get oil money?; Man jailed; Credits in question; Woken with a bang; Dream heralds end of season.

• Thursday, April 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Kirchners Malvinas message: no war and no Winnie the Pooh

  

  On the 26th anniversary of the beginning of the Falklands war, now renamed the Day of the Malvinas war veteran, Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner renewed calls for sovereignty over the South Atlantic Islands and emphasized that the Malvinas claim is “unflagging”.

• Wednesday, April 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Sarkozy appeals directly to FARC for release of Betancourt

  

  French President Nicolas Sarkozy has implored Colombia's rebel group FARC to free ailing hostage Ingrid Betancourt, saying she is in danger of dying. Mr Sarkozy has also announced a French mission to Colombia to try to get access to the hostage.

• Wednesday, April 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  After muscle display, Kirchners and farmers seem ready to talk

  

  A huge political rally set up by the Argentine government with the support of friendly organizations in the heart of Buenos Aires was the Tuesday stage for President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner to accuse striking farmers of cutting food supplies to cities and rekindling ghosts of the recent past.

• Wednesday, April 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Malvinas Veterans' Day commemoration moved to Air base

  

  On the 26th anniversary of the beginning of the Falkland Islands conflict, (April 2, 1982), Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner will head the main commemoration which is remembered as the Day of the Malvinas veteran and the fallen in the Islands war.

• Wednesday, April 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Visiting European MPs upbeat over talks with Mercosur

  A delegation of European Union Members of Parliament met Wednesday in Buenos Aires with the Mercosur Commission of Permanent Representatives in anticipation of the EU/Latinamerica and Caribbean leaders' summit scheduled for next month in Lima, Peru.

• Wednesday, April 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine farmers agree on a 30 day truce and dialogue

  

  Argentine farmers on Wednesday decided to suspend three-weeks of strikes and road blocks aimed at reducing additional export tariffs on oil seeds and grains, calling for a 30-day truce and talks with the government.

• Wednesday, April 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Will UK demand hydrocarbons income from the Falklands?

  

  Will the United Kingdom demand an income from any revenues from hydrocarbons found around the Falkland Islands, was a question asked of a British Minister at the current enquiry into the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's management of British Overseas Territories.

• Tuesday, April 1st 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Farmers continue conflict; Kirchners organize rally

  

  Argentine striking farmers confirmed on Monday that their massive protest will continue until next Wednesday following the announcement of government measures and a speech from President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.