Mercosur

• Friday, November 19th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Chileans can finally divorce.

  Roman Catholic Chile, and is spite of strong resistance from the Church, became this Thursday one of the last countries to grant married couples the right to divorce.

• Friday, November 19th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Sky's daily flights to Punta Arenas December 15.

  As of December 15 a third carrier, Sky Airlines will begin a daily flight to Punta Arenas from Santiago de Chile, announced Wednesday the company's Commercial Manager Sergio Briceño during a courtesy visit to the city's Mayor Jaime Jelincic.

• Friday, November 19th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Protestors ready to receive President Bush in Santiago.

  Protesters gathered this Thursday in downtown Santiago to read a statement repudiating US president George Bush' visit to Chile this Friday, but also anticipated that they are saving the best of their energies for when “the murderer actually steps on Chilean soil”.

• Thursday, November 18th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Bombs against Buenos Aires city banks

  A security guard was killed and a policeman injured following bomb blasts against several bank branches in downtown Buenos Aires, mid morning Wednesday.

• Thursday, November 18th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Chile plans free trade talks with Japan and China.

  Chile and Japan will begin feasibility studies with the purpose of reaching a free trade agreement, announced Wednesday Foreign Affairs minister Ignacio Walker after meeting with his Japanese counterpart Nobutaka Machimura in the framework of contacts previous to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum which is scheduled for this weekend.

• Thursday, November 18th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Kirchner will visit Chile end of the month.

  Argentine president Nestor Kirchner will finally be making a state visit to Chile next November 30, revealed Argentine Defence Minister Jose Pampuro.

• Thursday, November 18th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentine fisheries exports contract 5,8%

  Argentine fisheries exports during the first nine months of this year dropped 5,8% compared to the same period in 2003, mainly because of a significant contraction in shellfish and mollusc sales.

• Thursday, November 18th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  New airline begins flights to Punta Arenas in December.

  Chilean Civil Aviation Council unanimously decided this Wednesday to authorize Aerolíneas del Sur (Aerolíneas Austral Chile S.A.) to operate in the Chilean domestic and international air markets as a Chilean company.

• Thursday, November 18th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazilian industry criticize agreements with China

  Brazilian industry expressed concern Wednesday over a possible “invasion” of Chinese products following President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's decision granting the Asian giant “market economy” status.

• Wednesday, November 17th 2004 - 20:00 UTC

  IVM foundation organizing new meeting

  International Village Meetings, IVP, a foundation dedicated to bringing together and integrating teenagers from Argentina, Chile and Falkland Islands, and which suspended activities in 2001 when the collapse of the Argentine economy is back recruiting volunteers for another meeting in the coming months.