CHILE AFTERSHOCKS: Chile was rocked by another strong aftershock yesterday [Thursday], days after a devastating quake flattened swathes of the south and centre of the country and wiped out some coastal towns. Aftershocks had been felt regularly since the magnitude 8.8 earthquake on Saturday, one of the most powerful in world history. The latest was nearly magnitude 6 in Valparaíso, near the capital, Santiago, the Financial Times (London) reported. Michelle Bachelet, Chile’s outgoing President – her term ends on March 10 – has raised the official death toll to 802, and she said it could rise in coming days (Reuters). As aid started arriving in the south and central regions worst hit by the quake, the focus had began to shift to the massive reconstruction effort ahead, which officials expected could cost $US30bn, the Financial Times said.