Stories for May 15th 2008
International airport next to Torres del Paine Park
A blue print to turn Puerto Natales airfield in the extreme south of Chile into an international airport was announced this week by the regional government.
WTO optimistic about Doha accord before 2008 is over
World Trade Organisation director general Pascal Lamy said it is still possible that trade ministers could meet this month to work out the outlines of an agreement in the Doha Round of world trade talks.
Argentine media reacts to government attacks on Clarin
The Argentine association of newspapers, Adepa, publicly expressed concern about attacks from “government and government related sectors” against the Argentine press in general and particularly against editors and journalists from Clarín.
Falklands Oil & Gas ready to begin drilling in 2009
Falkland Oil and Gas Ltd., which operates in the southern and eastern regions of the Falkland Islands, said it expects to begin exploratory drilling in 2009. FOGL secured last October a farm in deal with mining giant BHP Billiton.
Peruvian President Garcia sets up environment ministry
Peru has created its first environment ministry, on the eve of a joint Latin American and European Union summit expected to focus on climate change.
Colonialism has no place in today's world, says UN
Although decolonization has been one of the United Nations' great success stories, the fact that 16 non-self-governing Territories remains means that the task has yet to be completed, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said this week.
Colombia-Ecuador conflict could filter EU-Latam summit
Latin American and European leaders are gathering in Lima, Peru on Friday for a much publicized summit which is scheduled to address climate change, high food prices and poverty. However an issue not included in the agenda could break into the meeting: Colombia's raid on a rebel camp inside Ecuador last early March.
Barclays announces £1 billion write down and lower profits
Britain's Barclays has taken a further one billion sterling write-down on assets and confirmed profits for the first quarter of 2008 will be lower than last year. Last month, the bank warned that tough trading in its investment bank division Barclays Capital during March would cut group profits for the quarter.
Uruguay downplays possible impact of Argentine situation
Uruguayan financial authorities minimized the possible economic impacts on Uruguay of the current uncertainty scenario in Argentina because of the ongoing conflict with farmers and which has temporarily suspended the neighboring country's cereal and oil seeds exports.
Chilean wineries plan to hike investment in Argentina
Several Chilean wine makers have recently disclosed plans to increase their investments in Argentina, a country also well-known for the alcoholic beverage.
