Stories for April 2007

Thursday, April 26th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
British support to replace Argentina's stricken “Irizar”

Britain has offered Argentina support for its Antarctic operations following the recent fire that broke out in icebreaker “Almirante Irizar” and which could force the vessel out of action for almost two years.
Thursday, April 26th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Uruguay/US trade and investment talks in Washington

Uruguay and United States resumed on Thursday trade and investment talks in Washington with the purpose of increasing bilateral exchanges. Uruguay is targeting an increase in its current 20.000 tons of beef quota, free of tariffs, and the opening of the US market for lamb and mutton.
Thursday, April 26th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Shannon: “Ecuador is looking for a way to perfect its democracy”

United States Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Thomas A. Shannon spoke on a wide range of Latin American issues Wednesday during a round-table discussion with journalists at the U.S. Embassy in Santiago.
Thursday, April 26th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
It's important to understand “Venezuela before and after Chavez”

Brazil's president Lula da Silva said on Thursday he believes in the ”existence of a South American spirit but not in Chavism (from Venezuelan president Chavez)“. However he admitted it's important to understand Venezuela, ”before and after Chavez”.
Thursday, April 26th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Chile: unemployment drops to 6.7%; Punta Arenas 2.7%

Unemployment in Chile during the first quarter of 2007 was 6.7%, which is higher than the previous quarter, 6.4%, but considerably less than a year ago, 8.35%, according to the latest release from the Statistics Institute, INE. Punta Arenas in the extreme south of the country has one of the lowest rates with 2.7%.
Thursday, April 26th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Developing countries split over agriculture in Geneva WTO talks

Differences emerged this week in Geneva between developing countries over a key issue in World Trade Organization (WTO) agriculture talks: basically the degree to which poorer food importing countries can protect their farmers in any eventual tariff-cutting WTO deal by designating certain products as “special.”
Wednesday, April 25th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Chile: Govt orders fish farms to evacuate quake region

One way or another the salmon farms currently operating in the Aysén Fjord (Region XI) must be relocated, President Michelle Bachelet told reporters on Tuesday, three days after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck the area, killing at least 10 people ÃÂ¢€” several of them salmon farm workers.
Wednesday, April 25th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Mrs. Kirchner promises full support for Mexico's Mercosur bid

Visiting Argentine First Lady Senator Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner promised full support for Mexico's incorporation bid to the South American customs union group, Mercosur during a meeting this week with leaders in the Mexican Senate.
Wednesday, April 25th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Youth delegates in Geneva pledge to promote road safety

A United Nations-sponsored gathering of young people from around the world has issued a global call to arms for governments, schools, universities, the media, the entertainment industry, bartenders and youths themselves to take action to improve road safety for young people ÃÂ¢€” who are more likely to be killed by road accidents than any other cause.
Wednesday, April 25th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Mercosur Parliament opens May 7 in Montevideo

Mercosur's Parliament will be formally opened next May 7 at Uruguay's Legislative Palace and in its first year will have an operational monthly budget of 30.000 US dollars, according to delegates from the five member countries.