Today's Video: Bolivian divisions continue

As the following video news clip from Reuters shows, the situation in Bolivia continues to deteriorate:


There is a sliver of hope, however, in that Bolivian president Evo Morales met tonight with a key opposition member.

Leaders throughout Latin America will meet on Monday to seek a peaceful solution to the diplomatic crisis involving the governments of Bolivia, Venezuela, and the U.S.

Sources- Reuters, Al Jazeera English, New York Times, The Latin Americanist

Raul Castro selected as Cuban president

Raul Castro has been selected as Cuba's next president in a decision made this afternoon by the Cuban National Assembly.

Raul [image] had been the favorite to win the post after older brother Fidel said last week that he would step down permanently as president. Raul had been named interim president in July 2006 when health reasons forced Fidel to temporarily relinquish his post.

In what Reuters reports as as a "surprise move", "hardline communist" Jose Ramon Machado Ventura was named first vice president instead of a younger, more moderate choice. This may not bode well for those expecting a swift transition towards democracy on the island.

What awaits Raul is a precarious situation according to BBC News:

Our correspondent says Raul Castro now has to steer the Caribbean island through un-charted waters in an unpredictable period of economic and political renewal.

Before Sunday's session, Raul Castro had suggested implementing major economic reforms and "structural changes".

He has worked to ensure a smooth political transition, keeping the army loyal to the regime and strengthening the Communist Party's hold by introducing reforms and weeding out corrupt officials.

He has also had the advantage of continued economic support from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in the form of millions of barrels of cheap oil, our correspondent adds.

Sources- Associated Press, boston.com, BBC News, The Latin Americanist, chicagotribune.com
Image- CBS News

Daily Headlines: November 20, 2007

* Coming soon to Mexican TV network TV Azteca’s U.S. affiliates: English lessons for immigrants.

* A U.S. federal court dismissed a case against oil giant Chevron regarding health damage to Ecuadorians.

* Quit appeasing hard-line anti-Castro dissidents, says a commentary in today’s Christian Science Monitor.

* Chile’s Mapuche community appeals to the U.N. over environmental damages.

Sources- SignOnSanDiego.com, Reuters UK, Christian Science Monitor, The Santiago Times

Image- SignOnSanDiego.com (“The National Autonomous University of Mexico's campus in Mexico City is working with Azteca America to produce English classes”)

Daily Headlines: October 15, 2007

* A recovering Fidel Castro telephoned into Hugo Chavez’ weekly television show yesterday, and discussed topics like U.S. hegemony and Ché Guevara.

* This has to be the corniest sentence to lead an article: “Move over, Joe Six-Pack. Make way for Josefina Five-Pack.”

* At least 21 miners died in Colombia after a mine collapse, while floods killed 23 people in Haiti and 14 in Costa Rica.

* Will Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva run for a third non-consecutive term in 2014?

* Follow-up: The Argentine rugby team’s Cinderella run in the World Cup fell short after their 37-13 semifinals loss to South Africa.

Sources- The Latin Americanist, Guardian UK, International Herald Tribune, Associated Press, AFP, People’s Daily Online, Bloomberg, Xinhua

Image- BBC News (Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez met during the latter’s visit to Cuba over the weekend)