Politics

Tuesday, January 15th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Spanish government calls for general elections March 9

The Spanish government called general elections for March 9, formally launching Monday what is shaping up as a close race between the ruling Socialists and opposition conservatives.
Tuesday, January 15th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Environmentalists held on Japanese whaling vessel

Two members of the conservation organization Sea Shepherd are being held on a Japanese whaling boat they boarded last night in Antarctic waters. According to the group the two men, a Briton and an Australian, boarded the Yushin Maru No. 2, to deliver a message that its whaling activities are illegal.
Tuesday, January 15th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Chile united to defend maritime border dispute with Peru

The political parties of the Chilean ruling coalition Concertación, the opposition Alianza alliance and the Communist Party (PC) gave their full backing Monday to the government's plan to defend Chile's northern maritime border against claims by neighboring Peru. The two countries seek to resolve the maritime issue at the International Court of Justice at The Hague.
Tuesday, January 15th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Sukey speaks of her “mainland mission” to The Times

Twenty-five years ago this month, in the wake of the Falklands conflict, the Islands Government set up an office in London to represent it in the UK. “Sir Rex Hunt, then Falklands Governor, took me for a drink in London and asked if I'd join,” recalls Sukey Cameron, pictured above left. She did so in 1983 ÃÂ¢€“ becoming Representative in 1990 ÃÂ¢€” and there clearly could have been no better choice than this third-generation Falklander.
Monday, January 14th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Freed Colombian hostages condemn kidnaps as “torture”

The two Colombian hostages liberated by the cocaine funded FARC, Clara Rojas and Consuelo Gonzalez de Perdomo described the guerrilla methods as “brutal” and condemned kidnapping as a crime against humanity.
Monday, January 14th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Released Colombian hostage meets baby son after three years

Released Colombian hostage Clara Rojas had an emotional reunion Sunday in Bogota with her son Emmanuel, three years after he was taken from her while she was in captivity in Colombia's jungle, according to government sources.
Monday, January 14th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Former Paraguayan general confirmed as presidential candidate

The former commander of the Paraguayan Army General Lino Cesar Oviedo who was freed from jail last September was confirmed Sunday as presidential candidate for the opposition National Union of Ethical Citizens, Unace, in the coming April general election.
Monday, January 14th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Renegade spy who devoted life to expose CIA dies in Cuba

Philip Agee, the former CIA operative who broke with the agency and devoted his life to exposing its role in political subversion, assassination, torture and support for military dictatorships, died January 7 in Cuba at the age of 72. Cuban sources said that he died of peritonitis after ulcer surgery.
Monday, January 14th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
US attempts to re-position relations with Argentina

United States seems intent in re-tracking relations with Argentina following the Kirchner administration fierce criticism of the US government for allegedly implementing a “garbage operation” to smear Argentine authorities.
Monday, January 14th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Guatemalan president promises democracy with “Mayan face”

Guatemala's Alvaro Colom was sworn in as president Monday, vowing to fight violent crime and empower the impoverished indigenous population in a social democracy with a “Mayan face”. With a population of 13 million, 45% ethnic Mayan, more than six million Guatemalans live below the poverty line of one US dollar per day.