Politics

• Monday, November 9th 2009 - 10:15 UTC

  Lula da Silva tells Obama to look after “US drugs’ consumers”

  

  Brazilian president Lula da Silva warned his peer Barack Obama that South America “does not need US bases” in Colombia to combat narcotics trade and suggested he look after “US drugs consumers”.

• Monday, November 9th 2009 - 09:42 UTC

  Chavez tells Venezuela to “prepare for war” and warns Obama and Uribe

  

  Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called on the military to prepare for war and help train the civilians in the midst of an escalating dispute with neighbouring Colombia which last week ratified a treaty giving United States access to Colombian military bases.

• Monday, November 9th 2009 - 08:43 UTC

  With Iran in mind Israeli president begins historic visit to Argentina and Brazil

  

  Israeli President Shimon Peres begins Monday a “historic visit” to Brazil and Argentina, the first in decades to both countries for an Israeli head of state, and one of the main issues of the agenda will be the so-called “Iranian infiltration” in Latinamerica.

• Monday, November 9th 2009 - 07:52 UTC

  British PM Brown “Tobin tax” suggestion rebuffed

  

  British Prime Minister Gordon Brown suffered an embarrassing rebuff when he floated the prospect of a new tax worldwide, only to have it flatly and publicly rejected by the United States and other major financial players.

• Saturday, November 7th 2009 - 16:37 UTC

  Polls show 7 points lead for Uruguayan incumbent presidential candidate

  

  Uruguay’s ruling coalition presidential ticket, --Jose Mujica and Danilo Astori--, has a seven percentage points advantage over the opposition, Luis Alberto Lacalle and Jorge Larrañaga, for the run off the last Sunday of November, according to the latest opinion polls released in Montevideo

• Saturday, November 7th 2009 - 16:30 UTC

  In spite of coup denials Paraguayan president continues with military purge

  

  Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo continued to purge the top ranks of the military Friday, removing the armed forces' commander. Lugo fired the commanders of the country's army, air force and navy on Wednesday.

• Saturday, November 7th 2009 - 14:56 UTC

  Chilean president Bachelet approval soars to record 80% in October

  

  Chilean President Michelle Bachelet's approval rating rose to a record 80% in October, from 76% the previous month, according to an opinion poll published Thursday by polling institute Adimark GfK.

• Saturday, November 7th 2009 - 14:54 UTC

  Five days paid “honeymoon leave” for Chilean newlyweds

  

  A proposed new law will guarantee Chilean employees five paid working days as “honeymoon leave” and will not take away from the legal yearly vacation days workers are given.

• Saturday, November 7th 2009 - 09:11 UTC

  US economy shedding jobs for 22nd month in a row, longest period in 70 years

  

  The unemployment rate in the United States rose to 10.2% in October, which was its highest rate since April 1983, according to figures from the US Labour Department.
  Unemployment in September was 9.8%.

• Saturday, November 7th 2009 - 08:39 UTC

  Uribe’s public opinion support falls below 70% for the first time in 7 years

  

  Colombian President Alvaro Uribe popularity rating is at it's lowest in his seven years in government, according to a recent public opinion poll. Uribe’s popularity rating fell from 70% to 63% in the last two months.