Michelle Bachelet

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In Final Minutes of Term, UN Commissioner Releases Uighur Report

In it, UN accuses China of serious human rights violations

(Newser) - The UN accused China of serious human rights violations that may amount to "crimes against humanity" in a long-delayed report examining a crackdown on Uighurs and other mostly Muslim ethnic groups. Beijing on Thursday denounced the assessment, which was released late Wednesday, as a fabrication cooked up by Western...

Another Conservative Wins Power in Latin America

Sebastian Pinera gets another turn as president of Chile

(Newser) - Sebastian Pinera's resounding victory in a presidential runoff election swings Chile back to the right and highlights the increasing number of conservative leaders who have won power in Latin America, the AP reports. With nearly all ballots counted, the billionaire former president won 54.6% of the votes Sunday...

Second Strong Quake Shakes Chile
 7.6 Aftershock Shakes Chile 

7.6 Aftershock Shakes Chile

Low death toll credited to strict building codes

(Newser) - A second strong earthquake has hit Chile, the day after a magnitude 8.2 earthquake shook the country, forcing a million people to flee their homes but causing surprisingly few deaths. Chilean President Michelle Bachelet was among those evacuated after the 7.6-magnitude earthquake hit last night, the BBC reports....

8.2 Chile Quake: 6 Die, 300 Women Escape Prison

Cops battle looters as thousands flee coast

(Newser) - Tens of thousands of Chileans have fled their homes for higher ground after a magnitude 8.2 earthquake caused 8-foot waves, power outages, fires, and landslides, the BBC reports. At least six people have been killed, which the AP notes is "a remarkably low toll for such a powerful...

Socialist Michelle Bachelet Wins Presidency in Chile

But 41% turnout worries new Chilean leader

(Newser) - Chile's once and future leader Michelle Bachelet easily won today's presidential runoff, returning center-left parties to power by promising profound changes in response to years of street protests. Bachelet won with 62% of the vote to 38% for the center-right's Evelyn Matthei, who promptly congratulated her rival....

Chile Cans Official Who Blew Tsunami Alerts
Chile Cans Official Who
Blew Tsunami Alerts
CHILE EARTHQUAKE

Chile Cans Official Who Blew Tsunami Alerts

Experts say lack of national warning led to deaths

(Newser) - The official whose agency failed to send out a nationwide tsunami alert following last Saturday’s earthquake was fired today by the Chilean government, the BBC reports. “An error in diagnosis” by Mariano Rojas and others in the naval oceanographic service resulted in many unnecessary deaths, experts say; Rojas...

Aftershocks Rock Chile
 Aftershocks Rock Chile 
chile earthquake

Aftershocks Rock Chile

Government revises death toll amid tsunami confusion

(Newser) - Aftershocks continue to hit southern Chile a week after the earthquake that killed hundreds and set off deadly tsunamis. Tremors up to a magnitude of 6.6 are terrifying residents of the city of Concepcion and the surrounding areas. "It was terrible," one resident told Reuters . "The...

Another Big Aftershock Rocks Chile

6.1 temblor, others prompt brief tsunami warnings

(Newser) - A 6.1-magnitude aftershock struck Chile in the past hour, further jangling nerves on a day when the government mistakenly issued tsunami warnings for coastal areas still sorting out the effects of last week’s 8.8 earthquake. President Michelle Bachelet took to the airwaves today to reassure the nation,...

Clinton Arrives in Chile, Promises Help
 Clinton Arrives in Chile, 
 Promises Help 
Chile Earthquake

Clinton Arrives in Chile, Promises Help

'We'll be here to help when the others leave'

(Newser) - Hillary Clinton arrived in Chile today, embracing president Michelle Bachelet and promising assistance. The US is already preparing to send water purification units, temporary bridges, a field hospital, and medical supplies, the secretary of state said. She delivered 25 satellite phones intended to help coordinate relief efforts. “We’ll...

Chile President : Quake Toll at 708

More than doubles the known dead

(Newser) - President Michelle Bachelet says that Chile's earthquake killed at least 708 people—sharply increasing the known death toll from about 300. The president tells a news conference that the country faces "a catastrophe of such unthinkable magnitude that it will require a giant effort" for Chile to recover. The...

8.8 Quake Rocks Central Chile
 8.8 Quake Rocks Central Chile 
UPDATED

8.8 Quake Rocks Central Chile

At least 214 dead; Pacific Rim braces for tsunami

(Newser) - One of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded struck Chile early today, toppling homes, collapsing bridges, and plunging trucks into the fractured earth. A tsunami set off by the magnitude-8.8 quake threatened every nation around the Pacific Ocean—roughly a quarter of the globe. At least 214 people were killed,...

Chilean Volcano Keeps Rumbling

Area evacuated as lava flies 12 miles into the sky from long-dormant Chaiten

(Newser) - The southern Chilean town of Chaiten has been totally evacuated after a volcano, active since Friday, belched molten lava and ash more than 12 miles high, the AP reports. Around 4,000 people have already left the area since the volcano—believed dormant for thousands of years—began acting up,...

Major Aftershocks Rock Chile
Major Aftershocks Rock Chile

Major Aftershocks Rock Chile

6.2, 6.8 jolts hit day after massive earthquake

(Newser) - Northern Chile trembled again today as two strong aftershocks jolted through the region, Reuters reports. No casualties were immediately reported in the wake of the tremors—which registered 6.2 and 6.8, respectively, according to the US Geological Survey—near the mining center of Antofagasta, but residents and emergency...

Latinas Lead New Revolución
Latinas Lead New Revolución

Latinas Lead New Revolución

Kirchner is the latest woman to take the reins in a Latin American country

(Newser) - Latin America is hardly crying for Argentines who elected Cristina Fernández de Kirchner president as the latest in the region's new wave of female leaders. Voters in countries still emerging from dictatorships and financial ruin are looking for new politicians, reports the NY Times, and Kirchner's election follows that...

Warrants Served for Pinochet Family, Staff

Indicted helped Chilean dictator to launder $27M into US accounts

(Newser) - Arrest warrants for embezzlement were issued today in Chile for associates of former dictator Augusto Pinochet, including his widow and five children, the BBC reports. The warrants allege that the accused helped Pinochet hide $27 million of state money in US bank accounts. The former dictator died in 2006 while...

Bloody Riots Rock Santiago
Bloody Riots Rock Santiago

Bloody Riots Rock Santiago

Thousands battle riot police in Chile capital

(Newser) - Riots erupted in Santiago, Chile, yesterday in what the Guardian calls a "middle class revolt" against the government of president Michele Bachelet. Burning barricades brought the capital almost to a standstill, riot troops used water cannon and tear gas, and protesters hurled stones. Protesters' demands include greater wage equality...

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