Stories for December 2002 , page 4

Tuesday, December 17th 2002 - 20:00 UTC

Lagos government looses majority in the Senate

Chilean president Ricardo Lagos admitted his administration has lost control of the Senate following the decision of Senator Nelson Avila to “freeze” his relation with the ruling coalition. Mr. Lagos is confronted with a growing political crisis since several Congressmen from the ruling coalition face possible conviction for corruption charges and illegal party financing.

Tuesday, December 17th 2002 - 20:00 UTC

Chile hails trade deal as finest moment

After two years of negotiations, Chile and the US have agreed a broad bilateral agreement which has been hailed in Santiago as the finest moment in more than a decade of aggressive pursuit of trade deals.

Monday, December 16th 2002 - 20:00 UTC

A degree of cooperation with Argentina is in everybody's interest.

If oil is discovered in commercial quantities in the Falklands, a degree of cooperation with Argentina “would seem to make practical sense and be in everybody's interests”, said Howard Pearce the new Falkland Islands governor just a few days after taking office.

Monday, December 16th 2002 - 20:00 UTC

IMF delegation in Argentina & Uruguay.

Sunday, December 15th 2002 - 20:00 UTC

Lula names key posts

Elected Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva relieved markets when he officially announced the nomination of Deputy Henrique Meirelles, belonging to outgoing president Fernando Cardoso party and a former extremely successful CEO of Bank Boston, as the country's next president of the Central Bank.

Saturday, December 14th 2002 - 20:00 UTC

Venezuela requests special meeting of OAS foreign ministers

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Friday that his administration has asked for a special meeting of Organization of American States (OAS) foreign minister to denounce what the president labeled “another coup attempt.” ”My government has requested an extraordinary meeting of OAS foreign ministers to denounce with evidence, videos (and) documents, the running roughshod over the Venezuelan people and another coup attempt,” Chavez said in an impromptu press conference.

Saturday, December 14th 2002 - 20:00 UTC

Argentina Says to Default Again on World Bank Debt

Argentina's government said it would default on more than $700 million due to the World Bank on Friday, a second missed payment that cuts the bankrupt country off from any aid from the bank.

Saturday, December 14th 2002 - 20:00 UTC

Fisheries News

Headlines: Seafood 2002 launched in Mar del Plata; Red tide spans entire coast and causes one death; Chilean Fisheries law under fire; Clean salmon production agreement; Hake ban in Peru; Scientists assess global warming on Antarctic plankton; Australia and Russia dispute seized longliner;

Friday, December 13th 2002 - 20:00 UTC

Argentine court blocks utility hikes

The Argentine judiciary issued an injunction Thursday blocking increases in gas and electricity rates imposed last month by presidential decree, court sources reported.

Friday, December 13th 2002 - 20:00 UTC

Penguin News Friday Update

Headlines: Elements devastate lambing; Penguin deaths continue - research ongoing; Short term OK for C&W in Falklands; Drugs conviction; Hospital wing go ahead.