Mercosur

• 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.

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

  Booming Chile hikes basic interest rate to 4,25%

  In line with market expectations the Chilean Central Bank Council agreed Tuesday in its monthly meeting to increase the basic interest rate 25 points to 4,25%.

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

  Nicaraguan Congress approves free trade agreement

  Nicaragua' National Assembly ratified Monday the free trade agreement between Central America, United States and the Dominican Republic, identified as CAFTA-RD.

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

  President Lagos invites Prince Charles to Chile

  Chilean President Ricardo Lagos asked Queen Elizabeth II that Prince Charles visit Chile in the near future.

• Tuesday, October 11th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  IMF praises Brazil's economic performance

  Inspectors from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) praised Brazil's economic performance following a three-day inspection. The IMF applauded Brazil's low inflation and strong exports yesterday, but said the country now should reduce sky-high interest rates.

• Tuesday, October 11th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  First names to succeed Fed chairman Greenspan

  United States president George W. Bush will be naming the successor of Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan “as soon as possible” said Monday the White House spokesperson Scott McClellan.

• Tuesday, October 11th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Magallanes promotes Japanese cattle breed cross

  The Chilean Agriculture Research Centre in Magallanes is involved in a pilot program to cross breed Japanese Wagyu cattle with local Aberdeen Angus with the purpose of obtaining beef cuts palatable to the Japanese consumer.

• Tuesday, October 11th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile expands and improves ozone research

  Ozone research in Magallanes region and Chilean Antarctic is expanding with the resumption of probe balloons launching and the establishment of ultra violet radiation registering equipment in the Eduardo Frei and Bernardo O'Higgins bases.