EXCERPTS:
"LIMA, Peru—Peru's new president, Ollanta Humala, took the oath of office Thursday, pledging to guarantee the "social inclusion" of the poor and immediately making good on campaign promises to raise the minimum wage and pensions.
The leftist president announced a two-stage 25% increase in the monthly minimum wage to 750 soles, or about $275, and unveiled pension increases for those older than 65.
While he repeated a campaign pledge that social benefits would be funded in part by higher taxes on mining companies, he didn't spell out what form these tax increases would take. The issue is expected to be the subject of intense negotiations between miners and the government.
