Latin America

• Friday, September 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Chilean scientist develops kit to detect toxic algae bloom

  

  Although shellfish poisoning is not that common in Chile, it does occur frequently as a result of mysterious, massive algae blooms – the so-called “red tide” phenomenon.

• Thursday, September 4th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile's inflation seems to have peaked and begins to yield

  Chile's August Consumer Prices Index, CPI, increased 0.9% accumulating 6.5% in the first eight months of the year and 9.3% in the last twelve months (down from 9.5% in July/June), according to the latest release from the National Statistics Institute, INE.

• Thursday, September 4th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Flooded south Chile regions declared “catastrophe zone”

  

  President Michelle Bachelet declared southern Chile's entire (Patagonia) Region IX (Araucanía) a “catastrophe zone” due to this past week's intense rainfall and flooding.

• Wednesday, September 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Madonna's tour includes second show in Santiago

  

  A second Madonna show with her “Sticky and Sweet” tour has been confirmed in Santiago de Chile for December 11. Her first presentation is scheduled for Wednesday December 10 and for both shows there will no special ticket pre-sale, with a maximum of six per person. Sales begin next September 10.

• Wednesday, September 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile admits 4.5% of hog production affected by dioxins

  Only 4.5% of Chile's pork production has been affected by dioxins admitted Agriculture Minister Marigen Hornkohl, who underlined the good quality and sanitary conditions of all meat production in the country.

• Wednesday, September 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Venezuela private sector: inflation will reach 35% this year

  

  Venezuela's business chambers, Fedecamaras warned that inflation this year will reach 33 to 35%, several points ahead of the latest government estimate, caused mainly because of insufficient production and supply.

• Wednesday, September 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Valparaíso honors Chilean Navy new patrol “Piloto Pardo”

  

  The Chilean Navy recently incorporated new maritime zone patrol “Piloto Pardo” was received with full honors when on Monday she sailed for the first time into Valparaiso.

• Wednesday, September 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Travel Mart Latinamerica meets next week in Quito

  

  Quito, Ecuador will be hosting this year's edition of Travel Mart Latin America scheduled for next September 10/11/12.

• Wednesday, September 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile assesses cost of alcohol to national health scheme

  

  Alcoholism is the main risk factor in diseases, traumatisms and death cases in Chile according to two independent reports contracted by the country's sanitary authorities and released Wednesday.

• Tuesday, September 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Venezuelan oil will help South African gold production

  

  South Africa and Venezuela sealed a major oil deal Tuesday during a visit by Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, who touted it as an example of southern nations cooperating in a new strategic alliance.