Mercosur

• Sunday, March 26th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Chilean Patagonia lamb for the US market

  The Chilean abattoir “Patagonia” in Porvernir, Tierra del Fuego is looking forward to another successful lamb season this year since in the coming months the plant will have been certified to export to United States.

• Sunday, March 26th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Queen Mary II calls in Pta. Arenas

  Headlines:
  Punta Arenas in Miami's cruise convention; Queen Mary II calls in Punta Arenas Monday;
  Concern in Punta Arenas with “informal” tour operators.

• Sunday, March 26th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  “John Cheek” delayed for another two weeks

  Argentine authorities have delayed another two weeks a decision regarding the Falklands flagged fishing vessel “John Cheek” currently retained in Comodoro Rivadavia for allegedly illegally fishing in Argentina's EEZ, reports a Spanish newspaper.

• Saturday, March 25th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Peru, a “worrisome democracy” says UN report

  A United Nations report shows most Peruvians so disappointed with democracy that they would prefer the return of an authoritarian regime.

• Saturday, March 25th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  EU Trade Commissar begins Mercosur tour

  The European Union Trade Commissar Peter Mandelson from Britain will be visiting Chile, Argentina and Brazil next week to discuss bilateral issues and promote international trade negotiations.

• Saturday, March 25th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  UN guidelines to protect global fish stocks

  With the world's appetite for fish continuing to grow and three-quarters of global fish stocks either fully exploited, over-exploited or depleted, guidelines for strengthening a landmark treaty to protect those stocks were adopted Friday at United Nations headquarters, as delegations wrapped up five days of preparations for a May review of the treaty.

• Saturday, March 25th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile expects another difficult year for gas supply

  Foreign Affairs Minister Alejandro Foxley struck a pessimistic this week regarding Argentine natural gas supplies to Chile: ”It is absurd to try to deny it to Chileans; this year (the gas issue) will be even more complicated than last”.

• Saturday, March 25th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Significant drop in mad cow cases reports UN

  In good news on the health front, a United Nations agency reported this week an annual 50% drop worldwide over the past three years in cases of Bovine Spongiform Encepalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease, blamed for causing a fatal degenerative illness in humans.

• Saturday, March 25th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Wildlife watching becoming multi billion industry

  Wildlife watching is fast becoming a multi-million if not multi-billion dollar industry with the potential to fight poverty by pumping vital income into local communities and conservation initiatives and showing that many wild animals were “worth far more alive than dead,” according to a U.N. report released today.

• Saturday, March 25th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile confirms purchase of 118 Leopard II tanks

  The Chilean Ministry of Defence confirmed Friday in Santiago the purchase of 118 German made Leopard II tanks, which will replace armored equipment from the Chilean Army