Politics

• 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.

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

  US anticipates military defeat for the Colombian FARC

  Thomas Shannon US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs said he didn't discard a military defeat of the rebel guerrilla group FARC (Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces) because of the latest blows it has suffered in recent months from Colombian forces.

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

  Brazilian press says Mrs. Kirchner “back stepped” in conflict

  The Brazilian press unanimously considered that Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner “back stepped” in the 100 days dispute with farmers over export levies on oilseeds and grains.

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

  Military expenditure in South America, lowest in the world

  Military expenditure in the twelve countries of South America, according to 2008 budgets, has reached a record 50 billion US dollars which is 2.5% higher than in 2007.

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

  UN approves extension of human rights protection

  The top United Nations human rights official has hailed the adoption of a new legal instrument which will enable people to submit complaints on violations of their economic, social and cultural rights to an international human rights body.

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

  Relief in the EU: British Parliament passes Lisbon treaty

  British Parliament has effectively ratified the EU Lisbon reform treaty despite the recent decision by Irish voters to reject it. A last-ditch Tory bid to delay the process for four months was defeated by a margin of 93, and peers later gave the EU Amendment Bill a third reading.