Mercosur

• 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”.

• Monday, August 14th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Petrobras to explore for natural gas in Santa Cruz

  Brazil's Petrobras Energia is involved in a “high risk” natural gas exploration and production investment in Argentina's extreme south Santa Cruz province, said CEO Alberto Guimaraes in Rio Gallegos.

• Monday, August 14th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Chavez Sunday visit resuscitates Fidel and Raul Castro

  Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez latest visit to Cuba on Sunday marked a double political event: pictures of Fidel allegedly recovering in hospital and the first public presence of Raul Castro, the leader's brother who has been running the country since July 31.

• Sunday, August 13th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Venezuelan December presidential campaign takes off

  Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez officially registered Saturday his reelection bid for the 2007-2013. Thousands of supporters walked with Chavez to the seat of the National Electoral Council, CNE, in downtown Caracas, where more followers from his party, the Fifth Republic Movement (MVR) and the Bloc for Change coalition had been convened.