Mercosur

• Sunday, September 24th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Lula set to win but scandals could condition second term

  With only seven days left for Brazil's October first general election, a public opinion poll published this weekend shows President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his re-election bid has not been dented by the recent string of scandals, although it could affect his second term political leadership.

• Sunday, September 24th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine pickets block bridges leading to Uruguay

  In a repeat of last summer demonstrations thousands of Argentine residents blocked Sunday two of three border-crossings to neighbouring Uruguay to protest the building of pulp mills on the Uruguayan side.

• Sunday, September 24th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile's exporters hit by their own success

  Beginning October 1, a new tariff of 7.4% will be imposed on Chilean agricultural exports to the United States due to restrictions mandated by the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

• Saturday, September 23rd 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile demands removal of Venezuelan ambassador

  Chile is demanding Venezuela withdraw its ambassador from Santiago following “intolerable” comments about the ruling coalition's junior member the Christian Democrats, reports the Chilean press.

• Friday, September 22nd 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  DAP charter vessel sinks in Punta Arenas

  “DAP Mares” belonging to the Pivcevic family unexpectedly sunk Wednesday in Catalina Bay, Punta Arenas harbour area where she had been anchored for several days.

• Friday, September 22nd 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Uruguay remains “strategic” for the Spanish pulp industry

  Spain's ENCE announced Thursday that Uruguay remains a “strategic” player for its pulp industry interests in spite of having cancelled the construction of a pulp mill until a new area is agreed with Uruguayan authorities.

• Thursday, September 21st 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  US officials are ?downright rude'

  When readers of the Daily Telegraph newspaper were asked shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks whether security fears had made them think twice about travelling to the United States, a resounding 89 percent proclaimed no. But in a recent survey, 90 percent said they would avoid flying to the US.

• Thursday, September 21st 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile re-enters Andean Community

  A council of Andean foreign ministers yesterday approved Chile's re-entry to the Andean Community of Nations trade group after a three-decade absence, Peru's foreign minister told local radio.

• Thursday, September 21st 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil's Lula sacks campaign boss

  Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has replaced his re-election campaign chief, Ricardo Berzoini, amid ongoing allegations of dirty tricks.

• Thursday, September 21st 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Two women lead Chile's main military parade

  President Michelle Bachelet and Defense Minister Vivianne Blanlot were the first two women in Chile's history to preside over the Glories of the Army ceremony this week, accompanied by 7,000 members of the armed forces, navy, and police, including almost 1,000 female officers.