
Former Chilean president Eduardo Frei surprised his fellow Christian Democrats during a weekend meeting of leaders saying that the party to eyes of the public opinion has become associated with corruption, patronizing and government spoiling.

World leaders are preparing to begin a key summit in Japan, with the global economy and its rising food and fuel costs looming as the main issues.
Argentina's lower house of Congress finally approved on Saturday after a marathon session a controversial package of grain-export taxes that have sparked months of nationwide farm strikes and food shortages since they were first implemented in March.

Chile and Uruguay are scheduled of sign on Monday in Montevideo a strategic association agreement in the framework of Chilean President Michelle Bachelet's two day official visit. Ms Bachelet arrived in Montevideo late Sunday.

An overwhelming majority of Colombians, 77%, support a second reelection of President Alvaro Uribe following the rescue of fifteen hostages last Wednesday including former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, according to a public opinion poll released by the top circulation magazine Semana.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet is promising to nominate rescued Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Veteran Cuban leader Fidel Castro celebrated the liberation of Ingrid Betancourt and fourteen other hostages and criticized the Colombian FARC guerrillas because he said kidnapping is under no way justifiable.

With considerable delay Argentina's Lower House began late Friday evening to debate the controversial sliding export taxes on grains and oilseeds which triggered a three months-plus stand off between the Kirchner administration and protesting farmers.

Headlines: Bay begins her work; 'Government cannot subsidise BAS'; Close eye kept on MoD range; Scheme for school leavers; Wind farm set to grow.

The first regular, direct flight from mainland China to Taiwan for nearly 60 years landed on Friday at the capital Taipei's airport. China's top official on Taiwan affairs said the flight was a new start in exchanges between Taipei and Beijing.