The US presidential race has been left wide open after Hillary Clinton and John McCain both rebounded to win victories in the New Hampshire Tuesday primary. It appeared that Mrs. Clinton's campaign benefited from a surge among women voters, while fewer young voters turned out for Democratic rival Barack Obama.
Bolivian President Evo Morales and provincial governors have agreed to draw up a pact of national unity to prevent the country from splitting apart. Mr Morales and the governors said they want to settle their differences over a new draft constitution and revenues from natural gas exports.
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet replaced five ministers in a major cabinet reshuffle to steady her embattled government hit by low approval ratings despite strong economic growth.
Colombia will allow no more international missions seeking the release of hostages held by leftist cocaine funded rebels after a Venezuela-led plan dissolved in a flurry of accusations last week, the government announced Monday in Bogota. However FARC said the handover operation is still on and Argentina expressed dismay at the Colombian government's attitude.
Brazil announced this week the creation of an ambitious defense structure, to be deployed in the event of foreign aggression, which includes ten ministries under the command of the Defence ministry, reports O Estado de Sao Paulo.
The feared recession in the US economy has already arrived, according to a report from Merrill Lynch. It said that Friday's employment report, which sent shares tumbling worldwide, confirmed that the US is in the first month of a recession.
Australia's civil aviation regulators announced on Tuesday they have given final approval for the country's first permanent air link to Antarctica, although it will be for scientists rather than tourists.
Hollywood director Oliver Stone who was to film the liberation of hostages held by the Colombian cocaine funded guerrilla FARC at the end of December, accused the United States for the failure of the mission and defends the role played by Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez in the frustrated operation.
BRITISH Overseas Territories Minister Meg Munn met with opposition from Falkland Islands councillors during her recent visit to the islands when she suggested Argentine next-of-kin might be allowed to visit the Falklands via a charter flight.
The recent end of the year episode of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez with the Colombian cocaine-funded guerrilla FARC and the failed handover of hostages could further imperil the Brazilian Congress approval of Venezuela's incorporation to Mercosur.