Politics

• Saturday, April 12th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Washington asks Argentina for help with Venezuela

  The top US diplomat for Latin America signaled a thaw in relations with Argentina during his brief 48 hours visit to Buenos Aires where he met with President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and main officials from her administration. Before returning to Washington he described relations as “excellent”.

• Friday, April 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Tight security for Olympic torch relay in Buenos Aires

  

  The Olympic torch arrived Thursday afternoon to Argentina and on Friday will be relayed thirteen kilometers through downtown Buenos Aires with a massive display of security forces to ensure there's no repeat of the anti China incidents that have occurred in Europe and United States.

• Friday, April 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News Update

  

  Headlines: 'He's behind you!'; Blind Dave's on target for London; Local companies object to loligo fee rise; Steady cruise ship rise continues; FPV Protegat on the way.

• Friday, April 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil is promoting South American Defence Council

  

  Brazil's Minister of Defence Nelson Jobim announced visits to neighboring countries to promote the Brazilian initiative for a South American Defence Council. Addressing the Defence and Foreign Affairs committees of the Brazilian Congress Mr. Jobim said next Monday he would be traveling to Venezuela, Surinam and Guyana the first leg of the regional tour.

• Friday, April 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Poor countries grain bill forecasted to soar 50% in 2008

  With food riots reported across the globe from the Philippines to Haiti, the United Nations agricultural agency warned Friday that the cereal import bill of the world's poorest countries is forecast to rise by over 50% in the current fiscal year.

• Friday, April 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine farmers satisfied with “dialogue spirit”

  

  Argentine farmers' leaders described the long awaited Friday meeting with President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner to discuss camp policies, particularly taxes, as “positive” and praised the “sincere” and “dialogue spirit” of the three hours discussions held at Government House, Casa Rosada.

• Thursday, April 10th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Chavez nationalizes steel sector partly owned by Argentina

  

  President Hugo Chavez announced plans to nationalize Venezuela's biggest steel maker, Sidor, which belongs to the Argentine-Italian group Techint, with shares in the New York Stock Exchange. The group has close links with the Kirchners.

• Thursday, April 10th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Nuclear super-carrier in the South Atlantic next May

  

  A mighty warrior of the seas, USS George Washington will be visiting Punta Arenas in the extreme south of Chile next May.

• Wednesday, April 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  French hostage mission to leave Colombia

  

  France called off a humanitarian mission Tuesday to treat and possibly free ailing hostage Ingrid Betancourt after Colombian rebels said they wouldn't unilaterally release any more captives.

• Wednesday, April 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Falklands: RM veteran 'test case' for special flights

  

  BRYAN SIBLEY, a Corporal in the Royal Marines during the Falklands War, has become the first SAMA82 veteran to be awarded an indulgence flight to visit the Islands.