Politics

• Sunday, March 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  As tensions ease, Chavez reopens embassy in Colombia

  

  Venezuela said Sunday that it is reopening its embassy in Colombia and will allow back Colombian diplomats expelled last week by President Hugo Chavez in a crisis sparked by a cross-border Colombian attack on rebels in Ecuador.

• Saturday, March 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Andean countries shake hands; hope for hostages' release

  

  The presidents of Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia shook hands on Friday at the Rio Group regional summit, marking the end of a diplomatic crisis in the Andean region and the opening of a fresh start in an area plagued by irregular forces.
  
  The crisis had been triggered by a cross-border raid by Colombian troops into Ecuador to attack FARC rebels and kill their number two leader.

• Saturday, March 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil's independence bicentennial launched in Rio do Janeiro

  

  Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva inaugurated Friday an exhibition at Rio's Historical Museum, “New World, New Empire,” and met visiting Portuguese President Anibal Antonio Cavaco Silva marking the beginning of the country's bicentennial celebrations.

• Saturday, March 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Margaret Thatcher in hospital and in stable condition

  

  Former British Primer Minister Baroness Thatcher, 82, is said to be in a stable condition after being admitted to hospital for medical tests. A spokeswoman for St Thomas's Hospital in London said she was expected to stay in on Friday night under observation.

• Saturday, March 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil gives Spain a sample of its own migration medicine

  

  Brazilian migration officials on Friday turned back eight Spanish tourists a day after the country expressed disappointment to Spain over the high number of Brazilians that are being rejected at the Madrid Barajas airport.

• Friday, March 7th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  UN Food Program warns on soaring grain and energy prices

  The head of the UN World Food Programme has warned that the rise in basic food costs could continue until 2010. Josette Sheeran blamed soaring energy and grain prices, the effects of climate change and demand for bio-fuels.

• Friday, March 7th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Mrs. Kirchner calls for peace and end to unilateral actions

  Argentina and Venezuela strongly rejected the violation of Ecuadorian sovereignty by Colombian troops and made a strong call for peace in the region during the signing on Thursday of trade and political agreements in Caracas.

• Friday, March 7th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News Update

  

  Headlines: Baby Nick's poor health means no return home; SSL launches scholarship; Men overboard; Westers talk rates; Deportation applications contested.

• Friday, March 7th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Kirchner's plea 'comical if not so sad' says Summers

  

  Comical if it were not so sad for those involved” is how a Falklands councillor has described the Argentine President's call upon Britain to allow Argentine next of kin to visit the Falklands by charter flight rather than by sea.

• Friday, March 7th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Falklands' conflict Foreign Secretary Lord Pym dies

  

  Former British Conservative Foreign Secretary Lord Pym died Friday at the age of 86 after a prolonged illness, his family has said. He served in the role during the 1982 Falklands War following the resignation of Lord Carrington, reports BBC.