Stories for May 2004
Influenza epidemic in Santiago.
Chilean Public Health Minister Pedro García confirmed that metropolitan Santiago is suffering from an influenza epidemic and an outbreak of the highly contagious respiratory sincicial virus, VRS.
Lula announces China-Mercosur talks.
Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced that Mercosur and China would begin in the near future talks to reach a free trade agreement.
Spanish investors “delighted” with Chile.
Chilean president Ricardo Lagos on an official visit to Spain said the controversy between Spanish investors and members of his cabinet was over and emphasized it was part of the “rules of the game” in a democracy with open markets.
EU: Mercosur trade proposal “insufficient”.
The European Commission considered the improved offer for trade liberalization presented by Mercosur this week in Brussels as “insufficient” and not “as ambitious” as the EU would have expected.
Complete squid ban in Argentina.
INIDEP (Argentina's Fisheries Research and Development Institute) has recommended Argentine Fisheries authorities to establish a squid catch ban to the north of parallel 44 South, and a decision is imminent, according to local internet reports from Mar del Plata.
Kofi Annan: decolonization “is incomplete”
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has restated his commitment to decolonization in territories regarded by the organisation as non-self governing, including the Falkland Islands.
Royal Navy in D day commemorations.
The Royal Navy is marking the 60th anniversary of the D-Day Landings by taking part in two events on Sunday 6 June, the international multi-event celebrations in France and the Plymouth Civic Memorial Service on the Hoe.
C&W supports Falklands' athletes.
Cable & Wireless have long been supporters of Falkland Islands athletes attending overseas games.
Record unemployment in Brazil
Unemployment in Brazil during April reached a record 13,1%, the highest since the index was started in October 2001, reports the Brazilian Geography and Statistics Office, IBGE. Unemployment in March was 12,8%.
Brazil admits higher inflation
The Brazilian government admitted this week that inflation in 2004 will be above the 2004 target of 5,5% According to the latest estimates from the Finance Ministry, the Consumer Price Index will reach 6,37% this year.
