Politics

• Thursday, January 22nd 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  RIC help Falklands' farmers and prepare for Afghanistan

  

  THE visiting platoon of the 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire), --which this year rotates into the new Falkland Island Roulement Infantry Company (RIC) -- has wasted no time getting their boots dirty and have been mucking in on farms on East and West Falklands since their arrival over the New Year.

• Thursday, January 22nd 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  Legal process, ethics, transparency, mark Obama's first day

  

  US President Barack Obama is expected to sign an executive order to close the Guantanamo Bay prison within a year. A draft order circulated on Wednesday also called for halting military trials in the prison, where terror suspects had been held for years without trial.

• Thursday, January 22nd 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  Divided Bolivia expected to approve Morales constitution

  

  Bolivians are expected to approve a new constitution on Sunday that the first indigenous president of the country Evo Morales hopes will transform the life of millions of his fellow citizens by giving them more power.

• Wednesday, January 21st 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  Countries want “more dialogue” and less imposition from US

  

  More dialogue is what countries are expecting from the administration of President Barack Obama, according to the Organization of American States, OAS, Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza, one of the special guests to the presidential taking office ceremony in Washington.

• Wednesday, January 21st 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  Chavez: “have no illusions” about new administration

  

  Venezuela's leader Hugo Chavez called Tuesday on his followers “not to have illusions” with the new US President Barack Obama and no matter who's in the White House “the Bolivarian revolution will continue to advance”.

• Wednesday, January 21st 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  Cubans admit other priorities, willing to wait for changes

  

  The official newspaper from the ruling Communist party in Cuba, Gramma said on Tuesday that the moment has come to “make effective” the promises and hopes of change announced by President Barack Obama, although the world crisis and other factors could limit him.

• Wednesday, January 21st 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazil “optimistic” expects a more multilateral policy

  

  Brazil trusts that the new administration of President Barack Obama will implement a more multilateral foreign policy and will strengthen political dialogue between Washington and Brasilia said Brazilian ambassador in the US Antonio Patriota.

• Wednesday, January 21st 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  Hillary's nomination put off a day by Senator' objection

  

  The United States swiftly approved on Tuesday six members of President Barack Obama's Cabinet, but put off for a day the vote on his choice of Hillary Clinton to be Secretary of State following Republican Texas Senator John Comyn objection.

• Wednesday, January 21st 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  Cristina Kirchner praises Obama's speech from Havana

  

  Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, currently on a three day visit to Cuba, praised on Tuesday the inauguration speech of President Barack Obama saying it confirms “the good expectations” about the incoming administration.

• Wednesday, January 21st 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  Obama appeals to values and pledges era of responsibility

  

  Barack Obama became the United States 44th president on Tuesday assuring allies he'll rebuild the world's shattered economy while repairing strained friendships as millions cheered the apparent arrival of a new age of political idealism. He promised to leave aside the confrontational dogma and develop a more open and conciliatory relationship with the rest of the world.