Former left wing union leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, comfortably leading in the polls, increased this week his advantage and now stands with 42% of vote intention, which could ensure him the Brazilian presidency in the first round.
US industrial production dropped during August, the first time this year according to a report released by the Federal Reserve Bank.
French political scientist and renowned academic Alain Touraine stated that Mercosur was over and forecasted that the United States sponsored Free Trade Association of the Americas is inevitable.
To talk about Mercosur doesn't make much sense, indicated Mr. Touraine in a long interview with the Brazilian newspaper O'Globo.
Argentine voters are sceptical about a possible reversal to the current situation even with a new president, according to the latest poll published this weekend in Buenos Aires daily La Nación.
Peru's Supreme Tribunal ruled the reinstatement of hundreds of employees left redundant by the country's telecommunications company. The ruling shocked the business community that is now assessing the impact on future investments.
Chile's Economy Minister Jorge Rodríguez said that privatizing public utilities in the current world business climate could be sending the wrong signal.
The International Monetary Fund, IMF, expressed concern that the international confidence crisis in Brazil could spread to the whole region given investors fear of growing risk.
Chile's Central Bank downed to 2% the country's 2002 economic growth forecast and estimated that next year Chile will fluctuate between 3,5 and 4,5%, given adverse world conditions.
The ruling body of the European Union Central Bank left the basic interest rate unchanged at 3,25% as anticipated by financial markets.
Chilean environmentalist groups with American financial support are interested in purchasing extensive natural forests tracks in Tierra del Fuego belonging to a frustrated woods exploitation project, according to Punta Arenas Prensa Austral.