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[Spanish language media only so far, quick translation] Perú President Pedro Castillo attempted to dissolve Congress, which in turn impeached him. Unlike with Fujimori in 1992, this time the Police and the Armed Forces did not back the presidency, and promptly arrested him as he sought to flee to Mexico.

Peruvian president Alan Garcia Thursday proposed a national referendum [press release, in Spanish] on introducing capital punishment for convicted terrorists after a legislative proposal to that effect was defeated 49-26 in the Peruvian Congress [official website] on Wednesday. Garcia described the defeat as one contrary to the will of the Peruvian people, and "[it was his] duty to fulfill what [he has] promised... in [his election] campaign." Political observers believe that Congress is unlikely to support the referendum proposal, which itself requires the approval of Congress. Congressional opposition to the proposal cite the American Convention on Human Rights [text], which...

Imprisoned former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori has been pardoned by incumbent leader Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. Mr. Kuczynski's office said in a statement that Fukimori, 79, was being released on health grounds. Fujimori-who was in power from 1990 to 2000-was recently taken from prison to hospital because of low blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythm. He has been serving a 25-year sentence for human rights abuses and corruption..... He was admired by some Peruvians for combating Maoist rebels, whereas his critics consider him a corrupt dictator. Fujimori has been in and out of hospital for a variety of health problems in...

"Two years ago, I warned that the oversight of Fannie and Freddie was terrible, that we were facing a crisis because of it, or certainly serious problems," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., told CBS this morning. "The influence that Fannie and Freddie had in the inside the Beltway, old boy network, which led to this kind of corruption is unacceptable and I warned about it a couple of years ago.” How does this claim of foresight square with this interview that McCain gave to the Keene (NH) Sentinel, discussing the subprime mortgage crisis, in December 2007? Q: “Well the dimension of...

Sweden will open the first 'diplomatic representation' in the virtual reality of web-based Second Life, a fantasy world inhabited by computer-generated residents, on May 30, the Swedish Institute said Friday. "The Second House of Sweden, the world's first virtual embassy in Second Life will be inaugurated on May 30," the institute said in a statement. Related Articles Swedish taxman sets sights on Second Life 31st January 2007 Sweden to set up embassy in Second Life 26th January 2007 Article Options Send to a friend Printable version Submit to Digg.com Sweden's Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Director General of the Swedish...

LONDON – Britain's secret intelligence service, MI6, has established the first proof al-Qaida is playing a major role in the new Cold War between North and South America – with Osama bin Laden's terror network seeing itself in league with Mexican subversives in infiltrating the U.S. border. The evidence emerged as Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez swash-buckled into London after scoring a win in yet another venomous battle with Washington for influence and economic advantage across the Latin American continent. Chavez is in London to meet the capital's anti-Bush mayor, Ken Livingstone, and other prominent British opponents of the war in...

Remember the 1980s savings-and-loan crisis? By the time it had all played out, taxpayers were on the hook for $125 billion. Yet members of Congress who play a central role in regulating the banks seem to be suffering from a severe case of collective amnesia.... That's the only conclusion to be drawn from the recent 413-10 vote in the House of Representatives in favor of legislation that would recreate some of the same perverse conditions that magnified the taxpayer cost of the S&L bailout. The bill would increase federal deposit insurance to $130,000 from $100,000 per account and double the...

PICHARI, Peru - Shining Path guerrillas ambushed a 30-man marine patrol in a section of steep, mountainous jungle, killing seven and wounding 10 in the Peruvian military's worst loss to rebels in at least four years, military sources said Friday. A marine captain, four other marines and two civilian guides were killed in the attack Thursday afternoon in the Ayacucho region when rebels opened fire after they stopped to take a break in a clearing, said an army officer who spoke on condition of anonymity. The attack was another strong sign of a resurgence in Shining Path activity. Last month,...

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/021018/s_l_settlement_1.html Texas Financier to Settle S&L Case Friday October 18, 7:04 pm ET Texas Financier Charles Hurwitz Agrees to Pay $206,000 to Settle Charges of Thrift Violations WASHINGTON (AP) -- Texas financier Charles Hurwitz has agreed to pay $206,000 to settle regulators' charges he violated federal rules governing thrifts, the Office of Thrift Supervision announced Friday. ADVERTISEMENT The agreement came more than a year after a judge rejected the federal agency's efforts to force Hurwitz to pay some $820 million in damages for the 1988 failure of a savings and loan, United Savings Association of Texas. The regulators had alleged...

The following is translated text from Lima Radio Programas del Peru: Interior Minister Fernando Rospigliosi told a press conference that remnants of the Shining Path [SL] are trying "to reorganize their political activities in some of the country's universities." He also reiterated his warning that the guerrillas could attack US interests this month. "The Counterterrorism Directorate (Dircote) is closely monitoring people linked to the Shining Path who are trying to reorganize their political activities in some universities," Rospigliosi pointed out, although he did not specify in which universities SL was trying to reactivate. "I hope it will not have greater...