Mercosur

• Monday, June 28th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Kirchner expresses willingness to cooperate with China.

  President Nestor Kirchner said at the start of his official visit to China that Argentina and the Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur) were willing to promote economic and trade cooperation for mutual benefit.

• Monday, June 28th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  US checking for possible “mad cow” in Iowa.

  US Agriculture Department will be making further tests following the first possible case of “mad cow” disease apparently detected in a single animal in Iowa.
  
  Initial testing on the animal produced “inconclusive” results and US DA' chief veterinarian John Clifford said that “this is not at all unexpected. Screening tests are designed to be extremely sensitive”.

• Friday, June 25th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Russian vessel will rescue Chilean fisherman.

  The Chilean crewmember isolated in a cabin bed of the fishing vessel “Globalpesca 1” with severe lumbar pains that prevent him from working will be evacuated by a Russian fishing vessel heading for Punta Arenas, according to the latest reports from the local press.

• Friday, June 25th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Kirchner leads trade delegation to China.

  Argentine President Nestor Kirchner and a delegation of 270 businessmen, ministers and provincial governors left on Thursday for China where next Monday they will begin an official state visit with the purpose of increasing trade and political contacts with the Asian giant.

• Thursday, June 24th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  “Sex market” controversy involves USS Reagan.

  Valparaiso is not “Sodom and Gomorra” said Chilean governor Ivan de la Maza flatly rejecting that the country's main port is about to become the biggest “sex market” when the large USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier arrives this week end.

• Thursday, June 24th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  South Atlantic fisheries “over exploited”.

  Argentina flatly refused European Union access to the South Atlantic fisheries given the delicate situation of the resource which is “over exploited”.

• Thursday, June 24th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Sharks next to Brazilian top beaches.

  The catch of ten sharks in waters close to Buzios, one of Brazil's renowned international sea resorts, has caused deep concern among Rio do Janerio authorities.

• Thursday, June 24th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  IMF warns about oil, but still optimistic.

  IMF Managing Director Rodrigo Rato warned this week about the risks of high oil prices for global growth but said inflationary pressures in the main economies have not appeared.

• Thursday, June 24th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  China and Chile draft trade agreement.

  China and Chile will conclude next September a technical paper assessing the impact for both countries economies of a potential free trade agreement.

• Thursday, June 24th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Pasture improvement in Tierra del Fuego.

  A group of ten Tierra del Fuego farmers with 100,000 sheep and 150,000 hectares are involved in a pasture improvement project with support from Chile's Development Corporation and other aid programs.