Mercosur

• Wednesday, August 16th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Perception of high corruption in Chile

  A majority of Santiago's poor believe Chile suffers from a high level of corruption, according to a study by Universidad Católica's School of Administration and Economics.

• Wednesday, August 16th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Mexico's outgoing and incoming presidents “under siege”

  Mexican President Vicente Fox called for dialogue Wednesday as supporters of leftist presidential candidate pledged to place his rival “under siege” if he is finally declared winner of the disputed poll.

• Wednesday, August 16th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Paraguay: no official tribute for former dictator

  The Paraguayan government said that no official tribute will be paid to former dictator Alfredo Stroessner, who died Wednesday in Brazil at the age of 93, if his family decides to bury his remains in Paraguay.

• Wednesday, August 16th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  OPEC: Gasoline prices increasing double the crude rate

  The Organization of Oil Exporting Countries, OPEC, warned Wednesday about the growing divergence between crude and gasoline prices, which in the soaring last two years have seen the fuel advance twice as fast.

• Tuesday, August 15th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Mexican police uses force on “civil resistance” protestors

  Mexican riot police used on Monday clubs and tear gas to disperse supporters of populist presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador who claims he was cheated of victory in July 2 presidential elections. This is the first time the authorities have used force on the protesters.

• Tuesday, August 15th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Solid performance and prospects for Mexican economy

  BBVA Bancomer, one of Mexico's biggest financial institutions, forecasted that the country's economy will grow 4.3% in 2006, its best performance since 2000.

• Tuesday, August 15th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  China's economy full steam ahead to a new record year

  China's industrial output surged 16.7% in July compared to a year ago with strong showing in the iron ore, steel and coal sectors according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

• Tuesday, August 15th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Taiwan interested in financing Panama Canal expansion

  Taiwan is prepared to participate in the financing of the project to enlarge the Panama Canal, once the project has been approved by the Panamanian electorate next October.

• Tuesday, August 15th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Methanol Magallanes is second fastest growing region

  The extreme regions of Chile had the most dynamic economies during the second quarter of the year, reports the Chilean Statistics Institute, INE.

• Tuesday, August 15th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina's energy crunch forecasted to worsen

  Argentina's energy shortcomings in the near future unless massive investments are undertaken were revealed during a recent Council for the Americas forum held in Buenos Aires titled “Argentina: growth and investment opportunities”.