Politics

• Wednesday, September 23rd 2009 - 12:37 UTC

  Claims against Venezuela stir the Mercosur parliament

  

  A Uruguayan lawmaker resigned from the Human Rights Committee of the Mercosur Parliament, Parlasur, in protest over the refusal of the commission to receive a delegation from Venezuela that claims the regime of President Hugo Chavez is violating freedom of expression.

• Wednesday, September 23rd 2009 - 12:04 UTC

  Lamy remains cautious about Doha Round outlook

  

  World Trade Organization (WTO) chief Pascal Lamy said Tuesday that he was still cautious about the outlook of the Doha Round of global trade negotiations despite a detailed work program drawn up by senior officials last week. He also called for leadership and responsibility from G-20 leaders meeting this week in Pittsburgh.

• Wednesday, September 23rd 2009 - 11:45 UTC

  China appeals WTO decision on imports of US DVDs and other media products

  

  China has appealed a World Trade Organisation (WTO) decision against its restrictions on the import of US DVDs and other media products. The WTO settlement had said China was breaching international trade rules by blocking foreign-owned firms from being importers and wholesalers.

• Wednesday, September 23rd 2009 - 11:27 UTC

  UN says companies must compensate indigenous peoples

  

  A United Nations report released last week said that industrial and energy projects set in motion before the official adoption of Chile’s “Convention 169” in September should still compensate indigenous communities for current and future effects caused by their projects.

• Wednesday, September 23rd 2009 - 11:24 UTC

  Brazilian incumbent presidential hopeful drops to third place

  

  Brazilian Cabinet Chief Dilma Rousseff, President Lula da Silva’s likely choice to replace him, fell to third place in a survey of voter preferences ahead of 2010 presidential elections.

• Wednesday, September 23rd 2009 - 11:14 UTC

  Argentina to host 2010 Ibero-American summit in Mar del Plata

  

  Mar del Plata, Argentina will host the next Ibero-American summit in November 2010 in coincidence with the bicentennial of the country, announced Ibero-American chairman Enrique Iglesias following a meeting with President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner in New York.

• Tuesday, September 22nd 2009 - 12:59 UTC

  Honduran de facto rulers demand Brazil hand over Zelaya

  

  Honduras de facto leader Roberto Micheleti demanded that Brazil hand over deposed constitutional president Manuel Zelaya who is currently in the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa following a dramatic secret return to the country.

• Tuesday, September 22nd 2009 - 12:52 UTC

  Chile’s Bachelet sets approval record, but not the incumbent candidate

  

  With just three months left before leaving office, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet continues to set new records for job approval and support. But coalition’s replacement hopeful, Senator Eduardo Frei, isn’t so fortunate.

• Tuesday, September 22nd 2009 - 12:48 UTC

  Uruguayan farmers demand fewer taxes and less Mercosur commitments

  

  Uruguay’s main agriculture show ended Sunday with a record number of visitors and harsh criticisms for the government: Farmers complained bitterly about the ballooning fiscal expenditure, taxes and demanded a broadening of horizons beyond Mercosur.

• Tuesday, September 22nd 2009 - 07:17 UTC

  Chile’s military parade breaks records, including women participation

  

  Chile’s annual September 19 Armed Forces military parade broke records this year. The event was the largest of its kind ever, showcasing 131 Air Force airplanes for the commencement ceremonies and with 11,000 Armed Forces personnel participating.