Politics

Friday, December 25th 2009 - 16:40 UTC
US Senate confirms ambassadors: Shannon to Brazil and Nelson to Uruguay

United States Senate confirmed Thomas Shannon as the newly appointed US Ambassador to Brazil, after a long delay due to the veto of Republican national deputies, who have showed discontent towards US President Barack Obama's policies as regards Latin America.
Friday, December 25th 2009 - 16:34 UTC
Obama closer to achieving the most important piece of social legislation since 1930

US senators have passed the final Senate version of a historic healthcare reform bill. The bill aims to cover 31million uninsured Americans and could lead to the biggest change in US healthcare in decades.
Friday, December 25th 2009 - 16:13 UTC
Newsweek predicts death of Fidel Castro and coup in Venezuela

Next year will see the death of the veteran Cuban leader Fidel Castro and the fall of Venezuelan President following a coup, according to the predictions from the latest edition of US magazine Newsweek.
Friday, December 25th 2009 - 15:54 UTC
Australia again threatens Japan with legal action for whaling

The Australian government insists it will take international legal action against Japan if it doesn't stop whaling. And it will send surveillance boats to the Southern Ocean to monitor the Japan's annual whaling hunt if it needs to mount a legal case
Friday, December 25th 2009 - 15:43 UTC
Le Monde names Brazil’s Lula da Silva as “Man of the Year”

French daily Le Monde named Brazilian President Lula da Silva “Man of the Year” for “personifying a giant”. It is the first time in its history the French publication has made this designation.
Thursday, December 24th 2009 - 09:57 UTC
Venezuela imposes power cuts and announces network of “Socialist” shops

Venezuela has imposed sweeping power cuts on industry and businesses in order to save its limited energy resources and avoid mass blackouts. The government said the cuts were because of falling water levels at the Guri Hydroelectric dam, which supplies much of the country's power.
Thursday, December 24th 2009 - 09:49 UTC
Another austerity year ahead for Cubans announced Raul Castro

The Cuban economy grew by only 1.4% in 2009, far from an initial forecast of 6%, Economy and Planning minister told parliament this week. Marino Murillo said that Cuba’s exports fell by 22.9% this year, while imports were down 37.4%. Prospects for 2010 are modest: 1.7% growth.
Thursday, December 24th 2009 - 09:26 UTC
Minutes show Bank of England unanimous vote on December decisions

All nine members of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to hold interest rates at its December meeting. Minutes from the meeting also showed that the MPC was unanimous in voting to maintain the £200bn quantitative easing (QE), or asset buying, programme.
Thursday, December 24th 2009 - 09:18 UTC
Tribunal admits only 49% of registered Hondurans voted on November 29th

Over half of Honduras registered voters in Honduras did not participate in the controversial presidential election last November 29th, held under the de facto regime, according to figures released by the country’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal.
Thursday, December 24th 2009 - 09:14 UTC
Bolivian Tribunal confirms Evo Morales’ sweeping electoral victory

Bolivia’s re-elected president Evo Morales ratified his sweeping victory on December 6 general election when he was supported by 64.2% of the vote, according to the final vote count from the country’s Electoral Court.