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Rice Snubs Argentina

Mar 19, 2008
In response to the strengthening of ties between Hugo Chavez and recently elected Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's government, Condoleezza Rice will skip the country on a two-day trip to South America The snub further underscores a divide between the US's traditional Latin American allies and a growing movement in opposition to U policy in the region.

Castro Not Well Enough for Public Speaking

Jan 17, 2008
Although Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva would apparently disagree, 81-year-old Cuban President Fidel Castro says he's not well enough to appear in public to speak to Cubans during the lead-up to Sunday's parliamentary elections, but he is still able to express himself through writing.

Pope Benedict XVI on Saints and Sinners

May 11, 2007
Brazilian Catholics thronged to see Pope Benedict XVI in Sao Paulo on Friday as he officially added native-born 18th-century Friar Antonio Galvao to the canon of saints. While he was at it, the pope emphasized the importance of just saying no to drugs and premarital sex.

Bush Greeted With Protests

Mar 9, 2007
More than 6,000 Brazilians marched against George W. Bush in Sao Paulo on Thursday in a mostly peaceful demonstration. A small group incited police to fire tear gas and rubber bullets. Protesters in Colombia also clashed with police, and more demonstrations are expected as Bush tours the region.

Report: World Bank Fails to Address Poverty

Dec 10, 2006
A new report by the World Bank's Independent Evaluation Group criticizes the international lending organization for failing to alleviate global poverty with programs that focus too single-mindedly on growth. The bank estimates that 1.1 billion people subsisted on less than $1 per day in 2001. (h/t: Common Dreams)

Sugar in the Gas Tank

Aug 18, 2006
As part of its drive toward energy independence, Brazil has encouraged the use of cars that run on any combination of ethanol and gasoline. More than 2 million of the flex-fuel cars have now been sold in the country, accounting for 77% of the market.