Politics

• Saturday, June 21st 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Mercosur blasts EU immigrants “return directive”

  Mercosur and associate members expressed on Friday their strong rejection to the “discriminatory” set of restrictions agreed by the European Union and confirmed by the EU Parliament regarding immigrants in irregular situation

• Friday, June 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Gibraltar Minister not returning before “irrelevant” C24

  

  Gibraltar's Chief Minister Peter Caruana 13th appearance before the United Nations General Assembly Special Committee of 24 was his last. In a dramatic turn of events on Wednesday he robustly indicated that it was pointless to keep returning because the Committee of 24 had never acted on Gibraltar's behalf but had always chosen and continued to be silent.

• Friday, June 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Venezuela formalizes nationalization of cement industry

  

  Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's nationalization of three foreign-owned cement businesses took effect on Thursday with the publication of the resolution in the Official Gazette according to the government run Bolivarian News Agency.

• Friday, June 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  EU lifts Cuba sanctions to the dismay of U.S.

  The European Union agreed to lift limited sanctions against Cuba, a hotly contested move designed to encourage the country's new government under Raúl Castro to liberalize

• Friday, June 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News update

  Headlines: Co-op to shut up shop after 50 years; Queen's birthday honours; Mid-winter madness; No plan to move Ocean 8 or the oil Stanley Sports Association

• Thursday, June 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine farmers extend grain export ban until Friday

  Argentine farmers decided on Wednesday to extend the ban on grains and oil seeds exports until next Saturday disappointed with a farm bill sent for Congressional consideration and direct allegations to farm leaders from President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

• Thursday, June 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  EU summit undecided over the Irish vote aftermath

  European Union leaders meeting in Brussels refused to set a deadline for a deal on the stalled Lisbon Treaty after its rejection by the Irish and insisted that real issues as Europe's economic situation are the priority.

• Thursday, June 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentines support Congressional debate of farmers' bill

  A clear majority of Argentines supports the government's decision to send the sliding export tax on grains and oilseeds to Congressional consideration, according to public opinion polls released in coincidence with the 100th day of the stand off between the administration of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and farmers.

• Wednesday, June 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Bolivia closer to the sea: Chile grants free access in Iquique

  Chile announced on Tuesday that the northern port of Iquique will be of free transit for Bolivia and suggested advances on the bilateral negotiation agenda for ending Bolivia's landlocked condition which dates back to 1879/1883 when the so called Pacific or Saltpeter war (*).

• Wednesday, June 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine president sends farmers' tax bill to Congress

  Argentine President Cristina Fernandez moved on Tuesday to defuse a prolonged political conflict asking Congress to ratify a sliding export tax hike on grains and oilseeds which has been at the heart of 100 days stand off with farmers.