South America

China signs new trade deals with Peru

LIMA, Peru (AFP) — China’s President Xi Jinping signed new trade deals on Monday with Peru, one of its partners in its drive to boost world trade in the face of protectionist stirrings. A day after taking part in the APEC Asia-Pacific trade summit, Xi made a formal visit to the host nation, a major mineral and food exporter. He and Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in a public ceremony signed 18 agreements, including one […]

Malaysia Airlines flight MH370

Relatives of MH370 passengers will travel to Madagascar next month in hopes of re-kindling efforts to find and recover seaborne debris from the ill-fated Malaysia Airlines jet, next-of-kin association Voice370 said Monday. (AFP Video graphics)

Japan’s Abe heads to Argentina on trade

LIMA, Peru (AFP) — After the APEC summit in Lima, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe heads to Argentina on Monday to bolster bilateral trade and investment ties with Latin America’s third largest economy. It will be the first visit to Buenos Aires by a Japanese prime minister in 57 years — the last one to make the trip was Abe’s grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi, in 1959. Japanese companies have a big presence in the South American […]

Obama says goodbye to world stage after eight years

by Andrew Beatty Joshua Howat Berger LIMA, Peru (AFP) — US President Barack Obama bid farewell to the world stage Sunday, pondering his legacy, offering advice to his successor and discussing his post-presidential life at the end of his final foreign tour. His historic presidency and charisma have made Obama a rock star on the international scene, even at times when the daily grind of politics dimmed the glow around his election as the United […]

Obama defends free trade at Asia-Pacific summit rattled by Trump

by Sam Reeves Martin Abbugao Lima, Peru (AFP) — US President Barack Obama on Sunday defended free trade as fellow Asia-Pacific leaders vowed to fight protectionism after Donald Trump’s shock election victory sparked fears for the future of global commerce. Trump’s triumph in this month’s US presidential poll has raised concerns that years of rolling back trade barriers could be reversed after the populist billionaire vowed to tear up a series of key deals. His […]

6.4-magnitude earthquake jolts Argentina, Chile

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AFP) — A 6.4-magnitude earthquake jolted western Argentina and parts of Chile Sunday, with no immediate reports of damage, authorities said. The quake rocked San Juan province at 1757 local time (2057 GMT), striking at a depth of about 130 kilometers (80 miles), Argentina’s seismological institute said. In Chile, the quake was measured at a magnitude of 6.5, officials at the government’s National Emergency Office (ONEMI) said. The earthquake was felt in […]

Obama wants Ukraine deal ‘before term is up’

LIMA, Peru (AFP) — US President Barack Obama said he told Vladimir Putin on Sunday that he wants to reach a settlement that solves the Ukraine crisis before he leaves office in January. “I talked to him about Ukraine and the need for us to get things done,” Obama told a press conference in Peru, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. “I urged him to instruct his negotiators to work with […]

Kerry arrives in Lima for APEC as U.S. undergoes transition

LIMA, Peru (Reuters) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Lima Thursday (November 17) for the 2016 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) at a time when the role of the United States on issues as far-ranging as trade and climate change remains unclear in the wake of Donald Trump’s electoral victory. Upon arriving in Lima, Kerry and delegations from the United States met with his peers from J apan, Fumio Kishida, and Philippines, Perfecto […]

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives to Argentina on state visit

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Reuters) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in Argentina on Thursday (November 17) for an official visit that will include meetings with Argentine President Mauricio Macri. Trudeau was greeted at the Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Buenos Aires, by Argentine Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra. The Canadian Prime Minister will meet with the Canadian Council for the Americas. He will then lay a wreath at Plaza San Martin. In the afternoon, Trudeau […]

North Korea to top US agenda at final Obama-Xi meeting

by Andrew BEATTY LIMA, Peru (AFP) — President Barack Obama will use his final meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping Saturday to press for an increase in the pace and severity of sanctions against North Korea. With Pyongyang launching test after provocative test to develop a miniaturized nuclear warhead and a missile capable of delivering that deadly payload to the United States, Obama’s White House wants to ratchet up the pressure before he leaves office […]

Brazil anti-austerity protest turns violent

  by Sebastian Smith Agence France Presse RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP) – Rio de Janeiro riot police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades Wednesday into an angry crowd protesting proposed austerity measures. More than 2,000 people, ranging from teachers to off duty police officers, faced off against elite Shock Battalion police outside the state legislature in the center of Rio. They blew whistles and chanted calls for the resignation of Rio state Governor […]

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau makes floral offering as official visit in Cuba begins

CUBA, South America (Reuters) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a floral offering at the monument of Cuban national hero Jose Marti on Tuesday (November 15) as the first act of his official visit in Cuba. Trudeau arrived in Cuba on Tuesday for an official visit that will include meetings with Cuban President Raul Castro. Cuban Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel was at the Jose Marti International Airport when Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire […]