Stories for December 2nd 2003

Tuesday, December 2nd 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Breaking News from Pta. Arenas.

Headlines:
ENAP becomes a major Pacific refinery; Magallanes unemployment remains steady; Torres del Paine Park temporarily closed.

Tuesday, December 2nd 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Brazilian stock exchange record.

The Bovesopa index of the Sao Paulo stock exchange, the most dynamic and influential of Brazil reached last week for the first time since its creation 35 years ago, 20,000 points. The peak reflected market reaction to the official announcement that the Brazilian recession was over since the GDP in the third quarter expanded 0,4%.

Tuesday, December 2nd 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Brazil marks AIDS Day

Brazil, considered a leader in the fight against HIV, marked World AIDS Day Monday with marches by youths that joined their voices to a campaign to prevent discrimination against people suffering from the dreaded disease or infected with the virus that causes it.

Tuesday, December 2nd 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Anti-chávez petition ends

Opponents of Hugo Chávez, Venezuela's president, appeared on Monday to have gathered more than enough signatures to trigger a recall referendum on his rule, although the government rejected the petition as a “mega-fraud”.

Tuesday, December 2nd 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Argentina to face more pressure over write-off

A group of US bondholders will make an aggressive counter-proposal in New York on Wednesday to the Argentine government's debt-restructuring offer, which creditors unanimously rejected when it was announced in September.

Tuesday, December 2nd 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Argentina authorises squid fishery outside EEZ

The national fishing authorities have authorised the Argentine fleet to fish squid outside the 200 miles Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) beginning 15 December. The measure will last until mid February, when the vessels will be able to enter Argentine waters to continue squid fishery.