Mercosur

• Friday, August 18th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile proposes to Peru joint promotional campaign for “pisco”

  The Chilean government on Thursday proposed to Peru that the two countries conduct a joint promotional campaign for “pisco” - grape brandy - after the World Intellectual Property Organization recognized the validity of Chile's manufacture of the traditional Peruvian liquor.

• Friday, August 18th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Stroessner laid to rest in Brazil

  The body of Paraguay's longtime former dictator was laid to rest here Thursday in the foreign soil where he spent his quiet exile, while back home some of those nostalgic for his rule paid tribute and others complained that Alfredo Stroessner never had to answer for his many heinous crimes.

• Friday, August 18th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Three out of four Chileans have mobile phones

  Almost three out of four Chileans have a mobile phone, according to a recent 3G Américas study. In a country of 15 million residents, more than 12 million have a mobile phone.

• Friday, August 18th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Fidel's health is better, Raul Castro says

  Gen. Raul Castro, the younger brother of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, said in an interview published Friday by the official daily Granma that the latter is feeling better after undergoing risky surgery and expressed thanks for the numerous messages of solidarity and support that had been received.

• Thursday, August 17th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Peru and Chile reach free trade agreement

  Peru announced it had successfully concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement with Chile which is to be signed next Tuesday, “opening a new era” for a bilateral relation which historically has been full of diplomatic conflicts.

• Thursday, August 17th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Sheep farming innovation in Magallanes Region

  Without innovation there's no productivity improvement is the motto which has inspired three successful sheep farmers in the extreme south of Chile, and whose achievements the Agro-business section of El Mercurio describes in a long article.

• Thursday, August 17th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  BAS contracts waste recycler for Antarctic bases

  British Antarctic Survey, BAS, has appointed United Kingdom Thetford based waste recycler Pearsons to handle some of the waste generated by scientists working at BAS survey stations in Antarctica.

• Thursday, August 17th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina and Brazil desist from Lebanon UN peace mission

  Argentina and Brazil agreed not to send troops for the United Nations peace mission in Lebanon, in spite of strong lobbying from United States, reports the Argentine press.

• Thursday, August 17th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Chilean basic interest rate unchanged at 5.25%

  The Chilean Central Bank Monetary Policy council decided this week to leave the basic interest rate unchanged at 5.25%.

• Thursday, August 17th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Energy impact cooling US economy

  United States inflation in July rose 0.4% in July, double the June index driven by a sharp increase in the price of petrol and other energy bills.