Stories for December 17th 2004

Friday, December 17th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

Mercosur declares expansion despite problems among founders.

The southern South American trade bloc established 10 years ago with an eye to spurring regional development and clout declared here a hefty expansion despite lingering problems between founding members that have made economic union more of a goal than a reality.

Friday, December 17th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

Russia & Argentina to co-operate in Security Council.

Russia and Argentina have agreed to co-operate within the framework of the United Nations Security Council, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov, the Russian news and information agency Novosti reported yesterday.

Friday, December 17th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

Menem: Xmas in “La Rioja”.

A judge struck down an arrest warrant for ex-president Carlos Menem yesterday, clearing a legal hurdle for the former leader who has been living in neighbouring Chile, while his nephew said that Menem will come back to Argentina on December 22.

Friday, December 17th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

Penguin News Update.

Headlines:
Road route debate continues; Offer of help met with angry rock attack; Don't waste water; £30k for Tamar repair; Bremen's on her own.

Friday, December 17th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

Plant find points to global climate peril.

The discovery of a bed of plants that lay frozen under a Peruvian glacier for thousands of years points to dire consequences from climate change today, according to Lonnie Thompson, a glaciologist.