Politics

• 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.

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

  Fidel meets Cristina and agree Obama is “a sincere person”

  

  Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner held a half hour private meeting with Fidel Castro in the last day of her visit to Cuba and said the ageing revolutionary leader described US president Barack Obama as “a sincere person”.

• Tuesday, January 20th 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  USA: Stage set for Obama to make history

  

  Barack Obama will make history when he is sworn in as the 44th president of the United States - the first black American to hold the post.

• Tuesday, January 20th 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  Best performer Peru changes financial helmsman

  

  In an unexpected move and only after six months in the job, Peru's Finance Minister Luis Valdivieso resigned Monday and later in the day was replaced by his predecessor Luis Carranza who is closely linked to the Andean country's praised economic performance.

• Tuesday, January 20th 2009 - 20:00 UTC

  Informal poll shows St Helenians not interested in airport

  

  When last December the British government put on hold plans to build an airport on the mid Atlantic island of St Helena, local councillors spoke of their “bitter disappointment”. But now a number of St. Helena residents say they want to stay cut off from the rest of the world, reports the BBC.