Mercosur

• Wednesday, February 16th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Top marks for Chilean economy and prospects.

  The Chilean government celebrated this week an all time record low country risk, confirming the positive international assessment of the Chilean economy and its positioning as the safest country to invest in South America.

• Wednesday, February 16th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Cruise industry impact in Magallanes region.

  Cruise tourism significance for Magallanes Region and Chilean Antarctica was highlighted by Chile's Tourism Promotion Corporation during a recent forum in Punta Arenas.

• Wednesday, February 16th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Chavez and Uribe smoke the peace pipe.

  Venezuela and Colombia proclaimed Tuesday the end of an often-rough neighbourly relation which had recently escalated following reciprocal recriminations involving the recent kidnap/capture of a key Colombian guerrilla leader in Venezuelan territory which was handed to Bogotá by bounty hunters.

• Wednesday, February 16th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Fisheries News.

  Headlines:
  Patagonian toothfish TAC, same as last year; Record fresh fish and shellfish landings in Vigo.

• Wednesday, February 16th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Former guerrillas head Uruguayan Congress.

  Two former left-wing guerrillas who fought the Uruguayan government in the seventies were sworn in on Tuesday to head the two houses of Congress.

• Tuesday, February 15th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazil ?Venezuela: A fruitful visit.

  Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ended his 24-hour visit to Venezuela Monday evening, departing from the Maiquetia airport for neighboring Guyana.

• Tuesday, February 15th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Sea Access Dispute Enters 126th Year.

  Bolivia has little hopes that Chile will hold talks to grant La Paz a sea access to the Pacific Ocean.

• Monday, February 14th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Basic food basket below consumer prices.

  The price of the basic food basket consumed by an Argentine family increased 2,45% during 2004 according to the latest data from the Argentine Statistics and Census Office.

• Monday, February 14th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Sealers camps unearthed in South Shetlands.

  Researchers from the Chilean Antarctic Institute Natural History Museum have discovered interesting remains and utensils from sealing settlements in the South Shetland Islands dating back to the early XIXth. Century, reports Punta Arenas La Prensa Austral.

• Monday, February 14th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  China's exports surged 42% last January.

  China which in 2004 became the world's third trading power behind United States and Germany in January reported a 42% increase in exports compared to the same month a year ago.