Politics

Wednesday, January 9th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Bachelet reshuffles cabinet and names political veterans

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.
Tuesday, January 8th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Colombia: no more international humanitarian missions

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.
Tuesday, January 8th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Lula da Silva woos and boosts Brazilian armed forces

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.
Tuesday, January 8th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Growing consensus that the “feared US recession” is here

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.
Tuesday, January 8th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Australian announces first permanent air link to Antarctica

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.
Monday, January 7th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Stone blames Bush for failed release of Colombian hostages

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.
Monday, January 7th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
UK Minister meets opposition from Falklands Councillors on next-of-kin issue

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.
Monday, January 7th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Venezuela's Mercosur entry stalled in Brazilian Congress

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.
Monday, January 7th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Argentina under Plan Condor had tracking stations in Brazil

The 1976-1983 Argentine dictatorship held information bases in San Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which were meant to “detect people connected to the subversion”, according to a legal prosecution started in Argentina, reported the Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper on Sunday.
Monday, January 7th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Ban Ki-moon: 2008 should be the year of the “bottom billion”

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed Monday that 2008 should be the year of the “bottom billion,” citing the need for renewed determination to address the needs of the poorest of the world's poor who have been left behind by global economic growth.