Stories for August 24th 2009

Tuesday, August 25th 2009 - 02:54 UTC
Falklands Next of kin visit “abused”

THE agreement on the Lan Flight carrying Argentine next of kin to the Falkland Islands has been, “…abused by the other side,” stated Councillor Mike Summers at a debriefing for local media today.
Tuesday, August 25th 2009 - 02:47 UTC
Opinion poll confirms a run-off in Uruguay’s October presidential election

The Uruguayan ruling coalition Broad Front seems to have recovered momentum and leads in public opinion polls with 44% vote intention, although the opposition is still ahead with 47%, according to the latest survey published Monday in one of Montevideo’s dailies.
Tuesday, August 25th 2009 - 02:43 UTC
Brazilian cabinet divided over taking military torturers to trial

Taking to trial those responsible for human rights abuses during the military dictatorship that ruled Brazil from 1964 to 1985 has divided the administration of President Lula da Silva, particularly some of its most influential ministers, according to the Sao Paulo press.
Monday, August 24th 2009 - 11:28 UTC
Brazil reaffirms influence in Bolivia and support for Evo Morales

President Lula da Silva reaffirmed Brazil’s influence during his visit to Bolivia where he announced the opening of the Brazilian market to Bolivian textiles and extended a loan to build a leg of the bi-oceanic corridor which will eventually join Santos in the Atlantic with Iquique on the Pacific.
Monday, August 24th 2009 - 11:23 UTC
Colombia in Unasur will discuss “all issues”, not only the US agreement

Colombia will participate in the coming Union of South American Nations, Unasur, summit “to discuss all issues” and not only the US/Colombia agreement on military bases, anticipated Jaime Bermúdez, Colombian Foreign Affairs minister.
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.