Latin America

Wednesday, February 28th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Chile announces plans to research nuclear energy

Energy Minister Karen Poniachik announced Tuesday that her ministry would begin technical studies into the potential use of nuclear energy in Chile. Facing criticism from both the governing Concertación coalition and opposition Alliance for delays in the government-mandated studies, Poniachik said the ministry would present a plan to assess the implementation of nuclear energy in March.
Wednesday, February 28th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Venezuela takes control of foreign oil projects

President Hugo Chavez's announced takeover of Venezuela's most promising oil-producing operations will likely increase strain on the country's heavily burdened state-run oil company and pressure production at the world's eighth-largest oil exporter.
Wednesday, February 28th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
New constitution for the British Virgin Islands

The successful conclusion this week of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) constitutional talks was praised by Foreign Office Minister Lord Triestman.
Tuesday, February 27th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
El Niño subsides: fishermen celebrate, farmers fear drought

By next May the “El Niño” phenomenon, which warms the Pacific Ocean by an average of 1.5 degrees Celsius (3.5 degrees Fahrenheit), will have completely disappeared.
While Chile's fishing industry utters a loud sigh of relief ÃÂ¢€“ cooler water means larger catches ÃÂ¢€” the departure of El Niño could cause severe problems for the agricultural sector, which may be facing drought.
Tuesday, February 27th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Ecuador to repair roads system with funds to repay creditors

Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa declared Tuesday a national roads system emergency and ordered the Army to begin the construction and maintenance of the country's road network to be financed with funds originally destined to honor foreign debt payments.
Tuesday, February 27th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
CIA believes Raul Castro is consolidating as Fidel's successor

The United States government said Tuesday that Raul Castro has consolidated as successor of his brother since last July and admitted that in the event of Fidel's death there will not be an
immediate “positive change”.
Monday, February 26th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Chavez preparing for conflict with US plans to buy 9 subs

Venezuela is currently negotiating with European and Russian companies the purchase of nine submarines valued in three billion US dollars for the event of “an attack from United States”, report several South American newspapers.
Monday, February 26th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Chile faces rich world evils: 25% of population is obese

Obesity and related pathologies like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart attacks cost the Chilean treasury an estimated 300 million US dollars which is equivalent to a significant percentage of the country's overall public health budget.
Monday, February 26th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Chavez “can scare away” investors from South America

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez can scare away investors in South America, who may prefer to invest in other regions, US Ambassador to Brazil, Clifford Sobel, told to Exame magazine 10 days before the arrival of US President George W. Bush to Sao Paulo.
Friday, February 23rd 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Impact of corn prices boom on other farming activities

Corn grain prices have reached a historical level of 123 Chilean pesos, approximately 25 US cents per kilogram, a 73% rise from 2006 figures. This significant leap is a result of the growing ethanol production in the U.S. for which the cereal is essential.