Mercosur

• Wednesday, October 4th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  U.S. pilots may face manslaughter charge in Brazil crash

  Two American executive jet pilots were ordered by a judge to stay in Brazil while authorities investigate whether they caused a midair collision with an airliner that crashed into the Amazon, killing all 155 people aboard.

• Wednesday, October 4th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Record budget surplus in Chile this year: 7.6% of GDP

  Chile estimates the budget surplus in 2006 will reach the equivalent of 7.6% of GDP, up from 5.3% originally announced at the beginning of the year. However economic growth will be in the range of 5%, below the original forecast of 5.3%.

• Wednesday, October 4th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Forging alliances for Brazil's October run off

  Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his run-off opponent Social-Democrat Gerlado Alckmin have begun a nerve breaking dispute to forge alliances and ensure victory next October 29, which is proving to be an open race.

• Wednesday, October 4th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Guatemala optimistic on UN Security Council vote

  Guatemala says it has “very good chances” of becoming a non permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in the coming vote October 16. The other candidate is Venezuela that has been involved in an aggressive lobbying campaign.

• Tuesday, October 3rd 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  South Korean favored to become Kofi Annan successor

  South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ban Ki-Moon has the support from the United Nations Security Council permanent members to become the next Secretary General.

• Tuesday, October 3rd 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil the day after: divided and no favorites

  With the framework of what seems to have become a divided country, Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his Social-democrat opponent Geraldo Alckmin have begun preparing for the October 29 run off.

• Tuesday, October 3rd 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Fuel firms will need permits

  Argentine government will oblige fuel exporters to seek a permit before making shipments in a bid to stem shortages in the farm and transport sectors.

• Tuesday, October 3rd 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  EU takes stock of effect of globalization on trade

  Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson hopes to trigger a debate this week on how the EU should deal with low-cost producers in Asia and South America and find ways to solve trade issues if a World Trade Organization deal falls through next year.

• Monday, October 2nd 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Bs. Aires: Hunting down public smokers

  City inspectors flocked to bars, restaurants shopping centres yesterday as a much talked about ban on smoking in public places became effective yesterday.

• Monday, October 2nd 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil air crash 'was collision'

  A passenger plane which crashed in a remote Amazon region collided with another aircraft, Brazilian aviation officials have confirmed.