Politics

• Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  EU divided over maritime safety laws and civil liability

  

  European Union ministers rejected Monday two Brussels maritime safety laws by a large majority. The proposed directives on flag state control and civil liability for ship owners received the support of fewer than seven of the 27 EU member states at a council of ministers meeting in Luxembourg, according to Lloyd's List portal.

• Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile has most “rich-poor” segregated education system

  

  The segregation of rich and poor students in Chile may be the worst in the world, according to a recent Universidad de Chile study confirming what many education leaders already suspected.

• Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Paraguay: former bishop leads in run up to presidential election

  

  Paraguayan former Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo supported by opposition and citizens groups disenchanted with the current political system leads with 36.8% in the race to April 20 presidential elections, according to the latest public opinion poll published by La Nación. This represents a two point win over the March poll.

• Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Bolivians consider latest James Bond film stigmatizing

  

  Bolivian Culture Deputy Minister Pablo Groux complained this week that Quantum of Solace, the upcoming film about secret agent James Bond, stigmatizes Bolivia as a centre of drug traffic.

• Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Spain to halt economic decline with US style incentive package

  

  Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero promised short-term measures and US style incentives to halt an economic decline, especially in the construction sector, over his second term.

• Monday, April 7th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Mrs. Kirchner after Argentina's return to money markets

  

  Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner joined on Sunday thousands who marched in downtown Paris calling for the release of French-Colombian Ingrid Betancourt who was kidnapped by FARC rebels six years ago, and is alleged to be seriously ill with fear of life.

• Monday, April 7th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Charity run Falklands leg delayed by Argentina

  

  DESPITE interference by Argentine authorities, Blind Dave Heeley's inspirational challenge to complete seven marathons on seven continents in seven days got off to a spectacular and successful start with a jet fly past at Mount Pleasant Complex, Falkland Islands at 00:01 GMT on Monday 7 April.

• Monday, April 7th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  IMF tightens budget and decides to sell 403 tons of gold

  

  The International Monetary Fund's executive board approved Monday a broad financial overhaul plan that includes the sale of 403 tons of its gold holdings as part of a radical plan to shore up its finances.

• Sunday, April 6th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Ben-Hur actor Charlton Heston dies at 84

  

  Charlton Heston, who won the 1959 best actor Oscar as the chariot-racing “Ben-Hur” and portrayed Moses, Michelangelo, El Cid and other heroic figures in movie epics of the '50s and '60s, has died. He was 84.

• Sunday, April 6th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Chavez nationalizes cement industry; Mexico condemns

  

  Mexico yesterday condemned Venezuela's planned nationalization of the cement industry, which will affect Cemex, a major Mexican company.
  
  “We can only condemn this action,” Finance Minister Agustín Carstens said in the city of Acapulco.