Politics

Friday, December 11th 2009 - 07:40 UTC
Chile denies any plans to work with FOGL in Falklands’ oil exploration

Chile reaffirmed Thursday that the country’s oil corporation Enap has no plans or prospects of exploring for oil in the Malvinas Islands maritime territory or any form of association with Falkland Oil and Gas Limited.
Friday, December 11th 2009 - 06:40 UTC
Over 35.000 Carabineros mobilized for Chile’s Sunday election

Chile's police force (Carabineros) this week outlined plans to protect the eight million voters expected to participate in Sunday's presidential election. Over 35,000 officers will be mobilized nationwide to ensure the election takes place smoothly, with Carabineros giving special attention to possible anarchist bomb threats.
Friday, December 11th 2009 - 06:22 UTC
Billionaire Piñera favourite to win Chile’s Sunday presidential election

The latest poll published in Santiago just four days before Chileans elect their next president - confirms billionaire businessman Sebastian Piñera as the heads-on favourite to win next Sunday’s vote.
Friday, December 11th 2009 - 04:11 UTC
President Obama defended the concept of “just war” at Peace Nobel ceremony

President Barack Obama defended the concept of a just war as he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway on Thursday. The US leader acknowledged he was a controversial recipient, not least because he is the commander-in-chief of a nation fighting two conflicts overseas.
Thursday, December 10th 2009 - 13:24 UTC
Idle capacity and low inflation allow Brazil to keep basic rate unchanged

Brazil’s central bank kept the benchmark Selic interest rate at a record low for the third straight meeting as inflation remains below target. The bank’s eight-member board, led by President Henrique Meirelles, voted unanimously on Wednesday to keep the overnight rate at 8.75%.
Thursday, December 10th 2009 - 11:42 UTC
Global food prices on the rise four months running, cautions FAO

Global food prices are on the ascent again with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Food Price Index – a food basket composed of cereals, oilseeds, dairy, meat and sugar – registering four straight monthly rises.
Thursday, December 10th 2009 - 11:31 UTC
Brazilian Senate postpones vote on Venezuela’s Mercosur incorporation

The Brazilian senate postponed on Wednesday until next Tuesday the vote on Venezuela’s incorporation to Mercosur following a heated debate on the floor when the opposition strongly criticized Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.
Thursday, December 10th 2009 - 07:53 UTC
Gallup poll shows strong Latinamerican support for Obama: 61%

A recent Gallup poll surveying Latinamerican perceptions of Barack Obama found that the US President’s strongest support comes from Chile, where 72% of those polled have a favourable image of him.
Thursday, December 10th 2009 - 07:39 UTC
Mercosur considering “sovereign fund” as protection against weak US dollar

Fearful of the continued depreciation of the US dollar vis-á-vis other global currencies, Mercosur country members admitted one of the possibilities under consideration for the management of international foreign reserves is the creation of a kind of sovereign fund.
Thursday, December 10th 2009 - 07:32 UTC
US Assistant Secretary of State will be visiting Mercosur members next week

Recently nominated United States Assistant Secretary of State Arturo Valenzuela will be making his first trip to the region next week with visits to Mercosur full members, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, reported the US State Department.