Mercosur

• Tuesday, December 14th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Climate: China, Brazil, India pressured

  While developing nations China, Brazil and India grow at break-neck pace with their burgeoning industry and farming, industrialized countries want them to clean up the dirty practices that have made them some of the world's biggest polluters.

• Monday, December 13th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Lula da Silva's coalition dismembers

  The Brazilian Democratic Movement Party, (PMDB) decided this Sunday to abandon the ruling coalition of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and adopt an “independent” position in Congress.

• Monday, December 13th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Mexico and Chile, strongest candidates for OAS

  Mexican Foreign Affairs minister Luiz Derbez admitted that Chilean Minister of Interior Jose Miguel Insulza is “a strong rival” for the Secretary General of the Organization of American States, OAS. However Mr. Derbez trusts he will finally prevail because, Mexico is a “leader” in the region.

• Monday, December 13th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  The Lagos administration at his best moment.

  Chilean president Ricardo Lagos popularity is at its highest rating since taking office: 68%. The highest of any Chilean president after four and a half years of mandate which means the ruling coalition is in an undisputable situation to win the next presidential and congressional elections.

• Monday, December 13th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Punta Arenas hotel industry in a bind.

  Punta Arenas hotels are fully booked for December and January and the season has been described as “excellent”. This has had a positive impact on hostels, motels and bed and breakfast homes that meet the spill over demand.

• Monday, December 13th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Chilean economy picking up strongly

  Chile's foreign debt reached 44,8 billion US dollars last October 31, which is 1,4 billion more than last December 2003, according to preliminary figures from the Central Bank.

• Monday, December 13th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Bill Rammell visits Venezuela and Peru

  Bill Rammell, Foreign Office Minister for Latin America, is visiting Venezuela and Peru from Sunday to December 15.

• Monday, December 13th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Unveiling Pinochet's bacteriological lab.

  A prosecutor will be sending the Chilean Army an official letter requesting all information available on the bacteriological laboratory that the Army had in Santiago during the military regime of General Pinochet.

• Monday, December 13th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Fisheries News.

  Headlines: Chile leads in farmed salmon production; EC calls for closures in some fishing grounds; South Africa grants large pelagic rights locally; N Z seafood industry thankful for additional quotas; Chilean salmon industry acquires Norwegian laboratory; Fishmeal and Fish Oil landings of 15.3 million tons; RCEP calls for fishing species protection in UK.

• Monday, December 13th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Chilean judge indicts Pinochet.

  After deciding that Augusto Pinochet is mentally fit to stand trial, a Chilean judge on Monday indicted the 89-year-old former dictator for his alleged role in the abduction and summary execution of suspected political opponents in the 1970s.