Stories for August 2009

Monday, August 24th 2009 - 11:21 UTC
Peru has adopted the “positive sides” of the Chilean model

President Alan García said that Peru had adopted the “positive sides” of the Chilean model and insisted that Peru will “not adopt a retaliatory or a diminished attitude towards Chile; we simply want to be better than them”.
Monday, August 24th 2009 - 11:11 UTC
Iran accuses Argentina of “interfering in internal affairs”

Iran's government accused Argentina of “interfering in internal affairs,” referring to criticism against the designation of Ahmad Vahidi as Defence Minister. Vahidi has been wanted since 2007 by Interpol for supposed ties to the AMIA terrorist attack in Buenos Aires which caused 85 deaths and hundreds of injured.
Monday, August 24th 2009 - 11:09 UTC
Presidential bid from former minister could undermine Lula da Silva’s plans

Brazil's former environment minister Senator Marina Silva has left the ruling Workers' Party, paving the way for an expected presidential run in the October 2010 election. The opposition praised her attitude and her former party companions said they have no resentment towards her.
Monday, August 24th 2009 - 10:59 UTC
Cuban press releases pictures of Fidel Castro with Ecuador’s Correa

A new picture of Fidel Castro has been published in a state-run newspaper, apparently showing Cuba's ailing former leader in much better health. Castro, 83 was pictured meeting with the Ecuadorean president, Rafael Correa, on Friday.
Monday, August 24th 2009 - 10:56 UTC
Release of data on US skyrocketing deficits will mark this week’s markets

United States President Barack Obama's domestic policy proposals will face the reality of skyrocketing deficits on Tuesday when officials release two government reports projecting huge budget shortfalls over the next decade.
Monday, August 24th 2009 - 06:27 UTC
As losses in Afghanistan mount, UK controversy over defence procurement

United Kingdom Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell has denied claims that British soldiers' lives are being put at risk by inefficient MoD systems for buying new equipment.
Saturday, August 22nd 2009 - 11:34 UTC
World Health officials urge to prepare for likely second wave of A/H1N1 virus flu

World Health Organization chief Margaret Chan on Friday urged governments to prepare for a likely second wave of A/H1N1 flu cases. About 1,800 people have died since the flu virus was first uncovered in April, according to the latest update from the WHO issued this week.
Saturday, August 22nd 2009 - 11:27 UTC
Brazilian president arrives in Bolivia with strong tone-down message

Brazilian president Lula da Silva considers that differences inside the Union of South American Nations, Unasur are more “a matter of form than content” because “our main objectives are compatible and at the same time convergent” according to an interview in Bolivia’s leading newspaper La Razon.
Saturday, August 22nd 2009 - 11:23 UTC
Turkey layers in Chile infected with the human A/H1N1 virus flu

Two turkey farms in Chile have been put under quarantine restrictions after fears the birds have caught swine flu from humans. Vets in the country said the A/H1N1 flu virus had been discovered in the two poultry plants in Valparaiso.
Saturday, August 22nd 2009 - 11:18 UTC
Argentina “harshly condemns” Iranian ministerial nomination

Argentina's Foreign Affairs Ministry “harshly condemns” the nomination of Ahmad Vahidi to serve as Iran's Defence Minister as he is a suspected international terrorist sought by Interpol in connection with the 1994 attack on AMIA Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires.