Argentina

• Tuesday, December 16th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Kirchner government admits Botnia plant “does not pollute”

  

  The administration of Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner openly supported the provincial governor who declared that a pulp mill on the Uruguayan side of a jointly managed water course, --and at the heart of a bitter dispute between the neighbouring countries--, “does not contaminate”.

• Monday, December 15th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Light at the end of corridor for Botnia pickets conflict

  

  A political ally of Argentina's president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner admitted over the weekend that the Botnia pulp mill in Uruguay, and at the heart of ongoing dispute between the neighbouring countries, does not contaminate and called for the liberation of the bridges currently blocked by pickets.

• Friday, December 12th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Fire scorches centuries old forests in Tierra del Fuego

  

  A federal state of emergency has been declared in Argentina's extreme south Tierra del Fuego province, where more than 6.000 hectares of centuries-old forest have been scorched or are threatened by several fires, forcing the evacuation of dozens of people, according to an official release.

• Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  YPF, Pan American, Petrobras to explore Malvinas basin

  

  Argentina's YPF, Brazil's Petrobras and Pan American Energy signed several agreements for the joint oil and gas exploration offshore in the San Jorge Gulf, the Malvinas basin and along the South Atlantic coastline, according to a report released Wednesday in Buenos Aires.

• Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Bones remains found in Argentine former detention centre

  

  More than 10,000 bone fragments have been unearthed at a secret Argentine detention centre in the city of La Plata where political dissidents allegedly were held and tortured during Argentina's dictatorship, 1976/1983.

• Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentine Lower House approves tax moratorium

  

  The Lower House of Argentina approved early Thursday a controversial bill that would establish a moratorium on unpaid taxes and give tax opportunities to Argentines who repatriate money and assets held overseas.

• Monday, December 8th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentine industry demands a more “competitive” Peso

  In spite of the several stimulus programs announced by Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, manufacturers are demanding a “more competitive” exchange rate, particularly with the Brazilian Real. Brazil is Argentina's main trading partner.

• Saturday, December 6th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentina and Chile recall John Paul II and celebrate peace

  

  Argentina and Chile commemorated Friday in Punta Arenas the 30th anniversary of the papal mediation which prevented a full fledged war between the neighbouring countries caused by a limits dispute over three islands next to the Beagle channel in Tierra del Fuego.

• Friday, December 5th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentine plan to boost consumption and exports

  

  Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner unveiled Thursday a new set of measures to boost the economy including credits for the auto sector and consumption as well as a reduction in export duties on wheat and corn.

• Friday, December 5th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Antarctic cruise passengers rescued and oil leak contained

  

  All aboard a cruise ship stranded off Antarctica are “in perfect health” and 87 (82 passengers and 5 crew members) have been rescued reported on Friday the Chilean Navy. The rest of the crew remained on board to help with rescue operations.