Stock markets in United States fell heavily on Friday following a volatile week. The Dow Jones, which saw triple digit gains on Wednesday and Thursday, fell by 2.1%, 284.8 points, to 13,178.5. The Nasdaq lost 2.5% to 2,511.25 points.
The number of foreign tourists arriving in Argentina during the first half of 2007 increased 17.4% reaching 1.037.226, reported the Argentine Tourism Secretariat.
Paraguay vaccinated 98% of its cattle herd against foot and mouth disease to ensure the normal flow of beef exports reported on Tuesday the government in the capital Asuncion.
The number of foreign tourists arriving in Chile during the first half of 2007 increased 11.7% reaching 1.316.936, according to a release from the country's National Tourism Service, Sernatur. In money terms this is equivalent to 818 million US dollars, up 6%.
Venezuelan government oil company, PDVSA begins this week hydrocarbons exploration in six blocks offshore Cuba, 100 miles from the United States coast, with prospects of finding abundant light crude.
Panama and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. agreed this week to make Panama the starting point for some of its tour operations in a bid to boost the cruise operator's presence in the region and to attract more tourists to the Central American country.
British Airways has been hit with a record £121.5 million fine after it admitted to collusion over fuel surcharges on long-haul flights.
Oil prices are nearing an all time record after supply concerns on Tuesday lifted them above 78 US dollars a barrel, almost the 78.40 reached in the aftermath of the Lebanon conflict in July 2006.
Stock markets across Asia have suffered heavy falls on fresh concerns over the impact of the problems in the US housing market which on Tuesday caused sharp losses on Wall Street.
Shockwaves of still unknown impact crashed through financial markets Tuesday when the United States Melville-based American Home Mortgage Investment Corp. announced it was suffering credit problems and would consider going into liquidation among other options.