Mercosur

• Thursday, October 13th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina's foreign debt totals 149,8 billion US dollars

  Argentina's sovereign debt swap operation saved the country 63,4 billion US dollars but overall foreign debt still remained at 149,8 billion US dollars at the end of the second quarter of 2005, according to a release from the Ministry of Economy.

• Thursday, October 13th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Labour strife costs fishing industry 100 million US dollars

  Argentina's fisheries conflict concentrated in Mar del Plata and Patagonia has cost the industry over 100 million US dollars, cancelled exports and growing uncertainties about the future, according to regional chambers.

• Thursday, October 13th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina: 10 billion dollars in recorded corruption

  Corruption and other financial crimes in the last 25 years in Argentina have cost 10 billion US dollars in government resources that could have helped in three years to end with indigence or fulfill all 2006 foreign debt payments.

• Thursday, October 13th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile-UK science/technology cooperation talks

  Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Chilean Foreign Affairs minister Ignacio Walker will meet next week to advance the science and technology understanding reached by President Ricardo Lagos with Prime Minister during his Tuesday visit to London.

• Thursday, October 13th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Want to be a spy? Check MI6 website

  Britain's Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) has launched its own website, in order to inform the public about the organisation as well to increase the public's knowledge of the organisation's role and responsibilities.

• Thursday, October 13th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  British Ambassador in Chile presents credentials

  Her Majesty's Ambassador to Chile, Howard Drake OBE, presented his credentials to President Ricardo Lagos at the Palacio de La Moneda on October 4th, 2005.

• Thursday, October 13th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Big party to celebrate Maggie's 80th birthday

  Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher celebrated Thursday in London her 80th birthday with a lavish reception attended by Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Tony Blair, Tory leader Michael Howard and 670 other guests including Sukey Cameron, Falkland Islands government representative in London.

• Wednesday, October 12th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Uruguay and Chile ban Brazilian beef and pork

  Uruguay and Chile banned the import of beef and pork from Brazil following the confirmation of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the northwestern state of Matto Grosso in the common border with Paraguay.

• Wednesday, October 12th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile and EU sign “original” air agreement

  Chile and the European Union signed an original air agreement by which all European carriers can operate between Chile and any EU member country, eliminating existing restrictions in bilateral agreements.

• Wednesday, October 12th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Lula accused of having a “pact with the devil”

  Brazilian vice-president and Defence Minister Jose Alencar accused President Lula da Silva of having signed a “pact with the devil” because of his insistence with the orthodox economic policies of former president Fernando Cardoso.