Mercosur

• Wednesday, January 16th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Chile fragile energy situation and new dams controversy

  Ed. Note: This opinion piece, which first appeared in the Chilean daily La Tercera, gives the background to Chile's looming energy problems and then proceeds to pitch the line that is touted by Chile's media and business establishment: “build dams in Chile's water-rich Patagonia area to solve the energy problem; build the HidroAysen project.” 'HidroAysen' is joint venture involving Spanish-Italian electricity giant Endesa and Chilean energy company Colbún.

• Saturday, January 12th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Liberated Colombian hostage eager to reunite with her son

  Clara Rojas, one of the two women hostages released by Colombian cocaine funded FARC rebels says she is eager to be reunited with her young son. The three-year-old son, fathered by one of her rebel captors, was taken from her at eight months and is now in foster care in Colombia.

• Wednesday, January 9th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Rebound syndrome has Hillary and McCain back on stage

  

  The US presidential race has been left wide open after Hillary Clinton and John McCain both rebounded to win victories in the New Hampshire Tuesday primary. It appeared that Mrs. Clinton's campaign benefited from a surge among women voters, while fewer young voters turned out for Democratic rival Barack Obama.

• Wednesday, January 9th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Bachelet reshuffles cabinet and names political veterans

  

  Chilean President Michelle Bachelet replaced five ministers in a major cabinet reshuffle to steady her embattled government hit by low approval ratings despite strong economic growth.

• Monday, January 7th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  UK Minister meets opposition from Falklands Councillors on next-of-kin issue

  

  BRITISH Overseas Territories Minister Meg Munn met with opposition from Falkland Islands councillors during her recent visit to the islands when she suggested Argentine next-of-kin might be allowed to visit the Falklands via a charter flight.

• Monday, January 7th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Venezuela's Mercosur entry stalled in Brazilian Congress

  

  The recent end of the year episode of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez with the Colombian cocaine-funded guerrilla FARC and the failed handover of hostages could further imperil the Brazilian Congress approval of Venezuela's incorporation to Mercosur.

• Sunday, January 6th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentina and Brazil worry over Bolivia's limited gas supply

  

  Brazilian Mines and Energy minister Nelso Hubner proposed a tripartite meeting with Argentina and Bolivia to ensure the supply of Bolivian natural gas for the two main economies of South America highly energy dependent of their inland resource-rich neighbor.

• Sunday, January 6th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  “Argos Georgia” restarts engine and ready to begin fishing

  

  The disabled St. Helena flagged longliner “Argos Georgia” adrift in the Ross Sea off Antarctica's northern coast for fifteen days restarted its engine early Monday and may resume fishing, a crew member said.

• Saturday, January 5th 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Customs Code and productive cohesion in Mercosur's agenda

  

  Wrapping up the Customs Code, productive integration and advancing in trade talks with India and the South Africa Customs Union are the main objectives on which Mercosur will be fully committed until next July, announced Argentina which holds the group's chair for the next six months.

• Thursday, January 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Bolivian approval for gigantic iron and steel project

  

  Jindal Steel & Power Ltd., an Indian steel and power producer, secured government approvals from Bolivia for its 2.1 billion US dollars Mutun iron ore and steel project, its largest investment overseas.