Politics

Wednesday, December 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
USA: Democrats lost the chance for a 60-seat “supermajority”

Republican Saxby Chambliss has won a run-off election in Georgia, denying Democrats the chance for a 60-seat “supermajority” in the US senate that would have enabled them to pass legislation virtually at will.Chambliss, the 65-year-old incumbent, defeated Democrat Jim Martin for the seat.
Wednesday, December 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
UK launches OT offshore financial centres review

The British Government announced that Michael Foot, currently Chairman of the UK office of Promontory Financial Group, will lead the independent review of British offshore financial centres, mostly in Overseas Territories, anticipated at Pre-Budget Report 2008.
Wednesday, December 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Police had no warrant to search Tory MP office in Parliament

Britain's House of Commons Speaker Michael Martin said he “regrets” that police were allowed to search Conservative MP Damian Green's office without a warrant.

A parliamentary aide had allowed a raid - part of a government leaks inquiry - by signing a consent form, he added.
Wednesday, December 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Obama names first Latino in cabinet: Commerce Secretary

US President elect Barack Obama said Wednesday on naming New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, --the only Latino so far who has been named to a cabinet post-- would be an “unyielding advocate” for American business and American jobs as Commerce Secretary
Wednesday, December 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
More than 100 countries sign treaty banning cluster bombs

Representatives of more than 100 countries gathered in Oslo, Norway Wednesday to sign a treaty banning cluster bombs. Norway, which has led efforts to ban cluster bombs, was the first to sign the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans the use, production, and sale of the weapons.
Wednesday, December 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Miami Cubans oppose continuing embargo on Castro regime

A new US public opinion poll shows long-time support for the US embargo against Cuba is falling among the Cuban-American community in Miami, which reflects a shift of opinion away from harsh policies towards the Fidel and Raul Castro regime.
Tuesday, December 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Mumbai attacks leave India and Pakistan on edge of conflict

India on Monday made it clear that the deadly terror strikes in Mumbai were carried out by Pakistan-based militants and asked Islamabad to take “strong action” against the “elements responsible for this outrage” - a sign that ties between the two countries are headed for a rocky patch.
Tuesday, December 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Chile-Peruvian spat: hopefully on Friday it's back to normal

Tensions between Chile and Peru remained high Monday after last week's revelation that Peru's top army general said at a party that Chileans in Peru would be sent back in coffins or body bags.
Tuesday, December 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
APEC forum helps boost Peruvian president standing

Peruvian president Alan García's approval was up 8.1 points in November according to the latest release from the public opinion pollster CPI.
Tuesday, December 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Coalition government for Uruguay 2010, whoever wins

Although still eleven months away, public opinion polls show that Uruguay's next government will not enjoy the current comfortable congressional majority and the president will emerge from a run off at the end of November 2009.