Politics

• Monday, January 26th 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  UN Human Rights Commissioner warns of genocide threat

  

  Cautioning that the threat of genocide still remains over half a century after millions of lives were brutally cut short by the Holocaust, the United Nations human rights chief said the memory of its victims should serve as a reminder of the need to act quickly and decisively at the first signs of such crimes.

• Monday, January 26th 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  Four Lords involved in alleged cash-for-influence row

  Britain's Leader of the Lords has pledged to toughen up anti-sleaze rules after four peers were engulfed in a cash-for-influence row. Baroness Royall launched two parliamentary inquiries in the wake of “deeply shocking” allegations that Labour members were ready to change legislation in return for money.

• Monday, January 26th 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  After victory Bolivian government calls on opposition

  

  The government of Bolivia called on the opposition to accept the results of Sunday's constitutional referendum which are considered a huge victory for President Evo Morales, although the first official results (18% vote count) indicate a similar number of Ayes and Nays.

• Monday, January 26th 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  Obama pledges closer political and trade links with Brazil

  

  United States President Barack Obama wants to work with Brazil on bio-fuels and global trade talks as a way to strengthen bilateral relations and address the international economic crisis, President Lula da Silva's spokesman said on Monday.

• Monday, January 26th 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  Geithner sworn in to the toughest job: Treasury Secretary

  

  Timothy Geithner was sworn in as US Treasury Secretary within hours of the Senate approving his nomination on Monday. The confirmation by 60 votes to 34 was delayed due to concerns Mr Geithner had failed to pay previous taxes on time.

• Sunday, January 25th 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  Chavez, Uribe team up to face world slowdown

  The presidents of Colombia Alvaro Uribe and Venezuela Hugo Chavez pledged this weekend to invest 100 million US dollars each in a special fund in hopes of boosting cross-border trade during a meeting held in Cartagena, Colombia.

• Sunday, January 25th 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  UN prepares to remember Victims of Holocaust Day

  

  The Holocaust provides important lessons for the present, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Saturday, stressing the necessity to bolster the forces of harmony and dialogue.

• Saturday, January 24th 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  Bolivia's Morales Nationalizes British Petroleum Unit

  

  Bolivian President Evo Morales on Friday nationalized BP subsidiary Chaco after no deal was reached in talks aimed at securing a majority stake for the state energy company.

• Friday, January 23rd 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  UN Human Rights Commissioner hails Guantánamo decision

  

  The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has welcomed Thursday's decision by the new United States administration to close the detention facility in Guantánamo Bay, as well as the decision to ban methods of interrogation that contravene international law.

• Friday, January 23rd 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  FAO launches International Year of Natural Fibres

  

  The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched on Thursday the International Year of Natural Fibres 2009, aiming to raise awareness of the importance of familiar natural resources such as cotton, flax, wool, alpaca and even cashmere, which are often taken for granted in the face of rising competition from synthetic materials.