Mercosur

• Wednesday, August 23rd 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  In 50 years ozone layer could be back to normal

  The hole in the ozone layer of the earth's atmosphere is recovering and could significantly contract in the next 50 to 60 years according to scientists from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA.

• Wednesday, August 23rd 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Japan proposes mega trade zone with half the world

  Japan proposed Wednesday an ambitious free trade zone that would include 16 Asian countries totalling half the world's population. Toshihiro Nikai, Economy, Industry and Trade minister made the announcement in the framework of the Asian South East Association of Nations meeting in Malaysia.

• Wednesday, August 23rd 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Lula da Silva leads comfortably in opinion polls

  The latest public opinion survey published in Sao Paulo shows Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva comfortably winning his reelection bid next October and record support for his administration's performance.

• Wednesday, August 23rd 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile formally requests incorporation to CAN

  Chile formally requested incorporation to the Andean Community of Nations, CAN, in a letter sent by President Michelle Bachelet to her counterparts from Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru, reported Foreign Affairs minister Alejandro Foxley.

• Wednesday, August 23rd 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Taxmen after “Crocodile Dundee” assets in Chile

  Australian actor Paul Hogan famous for this role as Crocodile Dundee is under investigation by tax authorities, who suspect he slipped undeclared assets to Chile, reports The Australian.

• Wednesday, August 23rd 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Foreign tourists to Chile up 16.2% in first half of 2006

  Foreign visitors to Chile in the first half of the year totalled 1.249.578, up 16.2% over the same period a year ago with revenue totalling 722 million US dollars, (up 11.4%) according to the latest release from the country's National Tourism Service Office, Sernatur.

• Wednesday, August 23rd 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Ecuadorians unmoved with October presidential election

  Nearly four of five Ecuadorian eligible voters remain undecided in advance of the presidential election next October revealed a survey published Wednesday.

• Wednesday, August 23rd 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Blue tongue outbreak in Holland and Belgium

  Belgium reported this week several outbreaks of blue tongue disease in sheep and cattle in several farms close to the villages of Liege and Fourons north of the country.

• Wednesday, August 23rd 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina re-floats nuclear energy program

  With an initial investment of 3.5 billion US dollars Argentina is relaunching an eight year nuclear energy development program with the purpose of increasing the number of atomic plants plus resumption of uranium enrichment production.

• Wednesday, August 23rd 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Sao Paulo gang violence and political links investigated

  Brazilian police are looking into the possible existence of links between the ruling Workers Party of President Lula da Silva and a prison based gang network, First Command of the Capital, (PCC) which has been responsible for a wave of violence in the country's main industrial and financial hub, the city of Sao Paulo.