Stories for March 2010

Thursday, March 11th 2010 - 23:33 UTC
Many governments use internet “to curtail freedom of expression”

Many governments have used the internet to curtail freedom of expression at home, the US state department says in its latest annual human rights report.
Thursday, March 11th 2010 - 04:46 UTC
Conservative Piñera takes office with 59% of Chileans hopeful

Chilean president elect Sebastián Piñera who takes office Thursday said the moment has come “to dry tears” and face the emergency in reference to the quake and tsunami follow-up which last Saturday devastated central Chile.
Thursday, March 11th 2010 - 04:42 UTC
Lula da Silva entangled in controversy over Cuban political prisoners

Brazilian president Lula da Silva has become entangled in a controversy for having compared Cuban political prisoners with jailed criminals and was even severely criticized by members of his own party.
Thursday, March 11th 2010 - 04:34 UTC
Lloyd’s Register, Maersk on program to test bio-diesel for marine engines

Lloyd's Register is to play a major role in a two year program to test the suitability of bio-diesel for use in powering marine engines. The feasibility study will take place on board the Maersk Line container ship, Maersk Kalmar.
Thursday, March 11th 2010 - 00:46 UTC
Cristina Kirchner’s government has become an “embarrassment” for Argentina

Former Argentine president Eduardo Duhalde (2002/03) accused the government of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner of being an “embarrassment” for Argentina and called for a drastic change of policies from “confrontation to one of understandings”.
Thursday, March 11th 2010 - 00:43 UTC
More oil in Brazil’s Santos Basin; Petrobras investment plan: 45 billion USD

Brazilian government managed corporation Petrobras, Repsol-YPF and BG Group found more evidence of oil in the same offshore Brazilian sub-salt block where the companies’ Guara field holds as much as 2 billion barrels of crude.
Thursday, March 11th 2010 - 00:37 UTC
Argentine government blames Shell and Petrobras for gasoline shortage

Argentina's government accused energy companies Royal Dutch Shell and Petrobras on Wednesday of deliberately causing gasoline shortages in order to force rival YPF to raise its prices.
Thursday, March 11th 2010 - 00:34 UTC
Morales party set to win in Bolivia’s April regional elections

The ruling party of President Evo Morales, Movement towards Socialism, MAS, is set to win the coming April regional elections with victories in six of the nine departments (provinces) in which the country is divided, according to the latest public opinion poll published by La Paz main daily La Razon.
Wednesday, March 10th 2010 - 23:10 UTC
Minister Bryant at Piñera’ inauguration praises Chilean resilience

British Foreign Office Minister Chris Bryant visits Chile for the inauguration of President-elect Sebastian Piñera, Thursday March 11 and to see areas of Chile affected by the recent earthquake.
Wednesday, March 10th 2010 - 22:55 UTC
Implications of La Moneda Leadership in the Piñera Era and is the White House Prepared for a Vastly Changed Latin America

The interim between Chile’s January 17th election and the inauguration of its victor, Sebastian Piñera, on March 11th, provides a useful opportunity to reflect on the course of recent U.S.-Chile relations, and the future prospects for cooperation, given the stand-pat tendencies of both governments.