Mercosur

• Tuesday, July 18th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Tsunami kills 220 on Java

  A tsunami crashed into beach resorts and fishing villages on Java island, killing at least 120 people, leaving scores missing and sending thousands climbing trees or fleeing to higher ground to escape.

• Tuesday, July 18th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Albatross colony observed in Southern Chile

  Research by Chilean scientists revealed the presence of black-browed and grey-headed albatrosses in Tierra del Fuego, at the southern tip of Chile.

• Tuesday, July 18th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile and Bolivia agree to discuss bilateral ties

  Two weeks after Chile's Foreign Affairs Minister Alejandro Foxley announced the creation of a commission between Chile and Bolivia to analyze issues of maritime conflict, the two sides are expected to meet today in La Paz.

• Tuesday, July 18th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Pte. Vazquez gets thumbs up from the opposition

  The opposition in Uruguay yesterday backed President Tabaré Vazquez's strategy regarding a pulp mill conflict with Argentina but urged him to seek to resume talks with the neighbouring country regarding the high-profile spat.

• Tuesday, July 18th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Equine influenza in northern Chile

  Thirteen thorough bred belonging to the Antofagasta Horse Club in Chile have been quarantined following what is believed to be an outbreak of equine influenza. Another forty horses have symptoms of lethargy, weakness and are developing a harsh cough.

• Monday, July 17th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina, “a hostile, incomprehensible neighbour”

  Argentina's current policy towards the Falkland Islands is “incomprehensible” and the only thing it will achieve is to “set the clock back in Argentine/UK relations”, elected Falklands' Councillor Mike Summers is quoted in Sunday's edition of the Buenos Aires “Perfil” publication.

• Monday, July 17th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil admits WTO “flexibility” if matched by G8

  Brazil is willing to show the “necessary flexibility” to successfully conclude the World Trade Organization Doha Round talks, announced Monday President Lula da Silva in St. Petersburg.

• Monday, July 17th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Bachelet announces “energy autonomy” in next two years

  Chile will become in the next two years energy “autonomous”, cutting its current Argentine dependency and cooling a “national security”, announced President Michelle Bachelet.

• Monday, July 17th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil takes over Mercosur chair this week

  This week in Cordoba Argentina will be handing the Mercosur chair for the next six months to Brazil. During Argentina's tenure negotiations to coordinate the incorporation of Venezuela to the group were approved in record time.

• Monday, July 17th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil regrets prosecution decision in De Menezes case

  Brazil regretted Monday the British prosecutors decision not to charge the police officers involved in the death shooting July 2005 in London of Brazilian citizen Jean Charles de Menezes.