Mercosur

• Friday, October 14th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Strong Chilean peso hinders Patagonia tourism

  The strong Chilean currency is causing complications to the Magallanes Region tourist industry which has been forced to increase prices in US dollars or simply mark them in Chilean pesos, “which most visitors don't understand”.

• Friday, October 14th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Ibero-American summit committed to less rhetoric

  Latin America leaders are gathering in the Spanish city of Salamanca for Friday's Ibero-American summit which they have pledged to give greater impetus, beyond rhetoric and effectively turning the event into an accomplishment.

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

  Lula's candidate elected Workers Party president

  Brazil's scandal-plagued ruling Workers Party, WP, finally elected a former Cabinet minister and close ally of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as its new chairman.

• 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.