Mercosur

• Friday, November 30th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Colombia airs tapes of FARC hostages and Ms Betancourt

  

  Colombian officials have shown videos and photos seized from captured rebels of 16 high-profile hostages, the first sign of life since 2003. The five tapes include French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and three US nationals.

• Thursday, November 29th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Freeze Venezuela's entry to Mercosur, ask Brazil businessmen

  

  Brazilian businessmen requested Congress on Thursday to freeze plans for Venezuela's incorporation to Mercosur following President Hugo Chavez threats to nationalize those private companies contrary to the constitutional reform of his making which Venezuelans will be voting Sunday in a referendum.

• Wednesday, November 28th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Billinton increases interest in FOLG Falklands' exploration

  

  Falkland Oil and Gas Limited (“FOGL”) announced this week that BHP Billiton has decided to exercise its option to increase its interests in FOGL's 2002 and 2004 licences to the South and East of the Falkland Islands.

• Tuesday, November 27th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  “Last Chance” to catch Nazi war criminals in Latam

  The prominent Jewish rights group Simon Wiesenthal Center has launched “Operation Last Chance” to search for clues leading to 150 to 300 suspected war criminals which took refuge in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay, following Nazi Germany's defeat in 1945.

• Tuesday, November 27th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazilian Congress delays Venezuela's Mercosur entry

  

  Brazil will vote on the incorporation of Venezuela as a full member of Mercosur in 2008, Chamber of Deputies' Speaker Arlindo Chinaglia told the local press on Monday in Brasilia.

• Tuesday, November 27th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Tourism boom industry threatens Antarctica

  

  A cruise ship takes on water in the Antarctic and three more come quickly to the rescue: A blessing for the survivors, to be sure. But also an indication of a tourism boom that critics say threatens Antarctica's environment and puts passengers at risk.

• Monday, November 26th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Falklands fisheries: ban looms on high seas bottom trawling

  THE proposal for a ban on high seas bottom trawling has caused some concern among members of the fishing industry at the Falkland Islands.

• Sunday, November 25th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Sao Paulo and Bs As have highest regional real estate values

  

  Real estate values in the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires this year figure below those of Brazil's main city Sao Paulo but above prices in Santiago de Chile and Montevideo, Uruguay according to a report from consultants Reporte Inmobiliario.

• Saturday, November 24th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  First flight Explorer rescue pxs arrived to Pta Arenas

  

  Some of the British tourists rescued from the Antarctic cruise ship which sank after hitting an iceberg were airlifted from a remote island in the Southern Ocean last night.

• Friday, November 23rd 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazilian signal for Venezuela's Mercosur membership

  

  The Brazilian Lower House Constitution and Justice Committee passed on Wednesday a motion for the long awaited incorporation of Venezuela to the South American trade block, Mercosur. However Venezuelan membership still faces a full debate in the House and must convince the Brazilian Senate.