Politics

• Thursday, March 18th 2010 - 23:48 UTC

  Lula da Silva fined for “anticipated” electoral campaigning

  

  Brazilian Electoral Justice announced it had fined President Lula da Silva for having “anticipated” the campaign for next October presidential election, thus favouring the incumbent candidate and cabinet chief Dilma Rousseff.

• Thursday, March 18th 2010 - 23:45 UTC

  Brazil leaves basic rate unchanged at 8.75%, in divided decision

  

  The Brazilian central bank kept its benchmark Selic interest rate at a record low 8.75% in a less-than-unanimous decision, signaling that borrowing costs may rise as soon as next month.

• Thursday, March 18th 2010 - 21:30 UTC

  Chile’s quake death toll, 700 and economic damage: 18% of GDP

  

  The Chilean government has updated the death toll from the Feb. 27 earthquake, saying 700 people lost their lives during or following the quake. Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter said just over 500 are confirmed dead, with another 200 missing.

• Thursday, March 18th 2010 - 21:26 UTC

  Piñera’s first international visit Washington, next month

  

  Chile’s new president Sebastián Piñera will make his first international visit next month when he attends the Nuclear Safety Summit in Washington, responding to an invitation from U.S. President Barack Obama.

• Thursday, March 18th 2010 - 21:23 UTC

  World Bank, IMF and IDB resume links (and loans) with Honduras

  

  Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) member countries this week agreed to resume lending to Honduras, the latest development institution to recognize the new government of President Porfirio Lobo.

• Thursday, March 18th 2010 - 02:19 UTC

  Chilean Professor chairs Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

  

  The Inter-American Commission On Human Rights (CIDH) from the Organization of American States, OAS, this week elected Chilean human rights attorney Felipe Gonzalez as its new president.

• Thursday, March 18th 2010 - 02:10 UTC

  Argentine public opinion growingly disenchanted with political leadership

  

  To everybody’s surprise Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and her husband and former president Nestor Kirchner have experienced a recovery in their public opinion standing, according to a poll from a “most respected consultant” which does not work for the Argentine government.

• Thursday, March 18th 2010 - 02:02 UTC

  Lula da Silva laid a wreath at Arafat’s mausoleum and ready “to talk to Hamas”

  

  Brazil's president criticised Israeli policies towards the Palestinians, warning that Israel's separation barrier, its blockade of Gaza and its continued settlement building was extinguishing “the candle of hope”.

• Wednesday, March 17th 2010 - 23:20 UTC

  IPI calls for immediate release of 19 Cuban journalists jailed in 2003

  

  Seven years after Cuba’s notorious Black Spring clampdown on independent journalism, IPI (International Press Institute) calls for the immediate release of the 19 journalists jailed in 2003 who still remain in prison, as well as of the six other journalists jailed after 2003.

• Wednesday, March 17th 2010 - 23:19 UTC

  Lula da Silva is warned about involvement in the presidential campaign

  

  Brazilian president Lula da Silva was authorized to participate in the campaign of the ruling coalition presidential candidate Dilma Rousseff, but after working hours and with all expenses billed to the Workers Party.