Mercosur

• Tuesday, May 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  US raps Mexican president on “racist” remarks

  The United States government Monday called on Mexican President Vicente Fox to clarify what was described as “insensitive and inappropriate” remarks about Afro-Americans.

• Tuesday, May 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  The Rolling Stones in Buenos Aires/Montevideo

  The Rolling Stones 2006 Latinamerican tour seems likely to include, Montevideo, Uruguay if organizers in Buenos Aires don't manage to contain the fiscal costs of several scheduled concerts.

• Tuesday, May 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Chilean beef exports target: 80 million US dollars

  Chilean beef exports are forecasted to reach 80 million US dollars in 2005, which represents a 200% increase over 2004 when they totalled 25 million US dollars, according to Chilean Deputy Agriculture Secretary, Arturo Barrera.

• Tuesday, May 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Duhalde in Moscow for Mercosur talks

  Former Argentine president Eduardo Duhalde currently head of the Mercosur Permanent Representatives Commission is travelling to Russia with the purpose of establishing closer political and trade links.

• Tuesday, May 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil's central bank forecast to hold interest rate

  Brazil's central bank this week could interrupt an eight-month cycle of monetary policy tightening, according to the country's leading financial institutions.

• Monday, May 16th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Australia to join with others to fight Japan's plan to boost whale catches

  Australia will join forces with New Zealand, the United States and Britain to protest against Japan's plans to increase whaling, Prime Minister John Howard said.

• Monday, May 16th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Chilean rightist opposition sundered

  After long supporting economist Joaquín Lavín as its undisputed hope for December's presidential election, Chile's rightwing opposition coalition has split and now has two candidates.

• Monday, May 16th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Venezuela regime “must change or be changed”

  The Washington Center for Security Policy warned that the increasingly repressive - and aggressive ? government in Venezuela must either “change or be changed” if the region is to avoid the terrible human costs of a new generation of revolutionary upheaval.

• Monday, May 16th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  LAN and Argentina discuss non profitable lines

  The Argentine government and Lan Chile's affiliate in Argentina which begins operations next month in the domestic market can't agree on the coverage of some non profitable lines such as flights to Rio Gallegos.

• Monday, May 16th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Breaking News

  Headlines:
  
  Patagonia Tourism Development Corporation; Magallanes salmon production, 6,000 tons; Heart operations in Punta Arenas;
  Magallanes Region economy steaming ahead.