Mercosur

• Wednesday, December 13th 2006 - 20:00 UTC

  Pinochet's grandson disciplined for praising 1973 coup

  

  Chile's president Michelle Bachelet called on the Army to sanction the grandson of former dictator Augusto Pinochet Ugarte who during a surprise funeral speech Tuesday openly praised the 1973 coup which ousted the elected government of president Salvador Allende.

• Wednesday, December 13th 2006 - 20:00 UTC

  Uruguayan economy steaming ahead at 7%

  The Uruguayan economy registered 7% growth in the first nine months of 2006, according to the latest figures from the country's Central Bank.

• Wednesday, December 13th 2006 - 20:00 UTC

  Vazquez: Uruguay decides Ence's pulp mill relocation

  

  Uruguayan president Tabare Vazquez said Wednesday that the authorization for the establishment of a pulp mill by the Spanish company ENCE along the River Plate estuary will be decided by his administration.

• Wednesday, December 13th 2006 - 20:00 UTC

  Pinochet's grandson booted from the Army

  The grandson of former dictator Augusto Pinochet Ugarte was booted Wednesday from the Chilean Army for having made a highly political and out of protocol speech during his grandfather's funeral services Tuesday.

• Tuesday, December 12th 2006 - 20:00 UTC

  Norovirus again attacks largest cruise vessel

  

  The world's largest cruise ship, Freedom of the Seas, was unexpectedly forced to spend two additional days in Miami getting the most comprehensive cleaning yet after returning to port last Sunday with sick passengers for the second consecutive cruise.

• Tuesday, December 12th 2006 - 20:00 UTC

  Chile slaps 12 months 23% levy on Argentine milk

  Chile's Distortions Committee extended this week for twelve months a 23% safeguard levy on Argentine milk and Gouda cheese imports to protect Chilean dairy farmers.

• Tuesday, December 12th 2006 - 20:00 UTC

  Chile looses wheat safeguards case with Argentina

  Chile is preparing to appeal a World Trade Organization ruling which states that the price band system applied to safeguard Chilean farmers from Argentine imports of wheat, wheat flour and edible vegetal oil is not compatible with WTO regulations.

• Tuesday, December 12th 2006 - 20:00 UTC

  Federal Reserve leaves rates unchanged at 5.25%

  Judging that some inflation risks remain and also factors “restraining aggregate demand”, the Federal Open Market Committee from the Federal Reserve, chaired by Ben Bernanke decided Tuesday to leave interest rates unchanged at 5.25%.

• Tuesday, December 12th 2006 - 20:00 UTC

  Over 60 and left wing, “something is wrong with you”

  Brazilian president Luiz Lula da Silva announced Tuesday that he no longer belongs to the “left” and with the passing of time his political positions have moved further to the center.

• Tuesday, December 12th 2006 - 20:00 UTC

  Chávez: more bark than bite

  By Guillermo Hánskel
  
  
  
  Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez is spearheading a Socialist revolution throughout Latin America with a wallet full of petrodollars, but his real influence has been overestimated, with key economies Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and others unimpressed by his fiery anti-US preaching.