Politics

• Saturday, May 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Volcano victims complain of price gaugin

  Chilean government spokesperson Francisco Vidal on Thursday disclosed an increased relief package for victims of the ongoing Chaitén Volcano eruptions. The announcement comes in response to allegations that Puerto Montt residents have been overcharging displaced Chaitén residents for rent.

• Friday, May 16th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Newly reinstated US Navy IV Fleet “poses no threat” to region

  The commander of United States Southern Command, Admiral James Stavridis reassured Latin American military chiefs that reinstating the US IV Fleet in the region posed no threat and will respect maritime claims, including offshore oil reserves.

• Friday, May 16th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine farmers' conflict becoming an attrition process

  Striking Argentine farmers opposed to a hike in export taxes decided on Thursday to extend the stoppage for another week but also sent a letter to President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner requesting an “urgent meeting” following on her Wednesday appeal for a national dialogue.

• Friday, May 16th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News update

  Headlines: Les and Duel nab 18th win; Scholars dispute claim; Flights suspended to three island airstrips; Sex offender avoids prison; News in Brief.

• Thursday, May 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  WTO optimistic about Doha accord before 2008 is over

  

  World Trade Organisation director general Pascal Lamy said it is still possible that trade ministers could meet this month to work out the outlines of an agreement in the Doha Round of world trade talks.

• Thursday, May 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine media reacts to government attacks on Clarin

  The Argentine association of newspapers, Adepa, publicly expressed concern about attacks from “government and government related sectors” against the Argentine press in general and particularly against editors and journalists from Clarín.

• Thursday, May 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Peruvian President Garcia sets up environment ministry

  Peru has created its first environment ministry, on the eve of a joint Latin American and European Union summit expected to focus on climate change.

• Thursday, May 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Colonialism has no place in today's world, says UN

  Although decolonization has been one of the United Nations' great success stories, the fact that 16 non-self-governing Territories remains means that the task has yet to be completed, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said this week.

• Thursday, May 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Colombia-Ecuador conflict could filter EU-Latam summit

  Latin American and European leaders are gathering in Lima, Peru on Friday for a much publicized summit which is scheduled to address climate change, high food prices and poverty. However an issue not included in the agenda could break into the meeting: Colombia's raid on a rebel camp inside Ecuador last early March.

• Thursday, May 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  US lists polar bears as threatened species, with a loophole

  The United States has listed the polar bear as a threatened species, because its Arctic sea ice habitat is melting due to climate change. US government scientists predict that two-thirds of the polar bear population of 25,000 could disappear by 2050. However, the government stressed the listing would not lead to measures to prevent global warming.