Mercosur

• Tuesday, April 18th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Opec's April market report

  Initial data for 2006 shows the world economy continues to experience strong growth, despite disappointing GDP growth in the final quarter of last year, according to the OPEC Monthly Oil Market Report.

• Tuesday, April 18th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  “Oil prices too steep and not justified”, says Opec

  The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Opec believes oil prices are too steep, after setting a fresh record high above 70 US dollars a barrel and the rise is not justified by market fundamentals, a senior Opec delegate said on Tuesday.

• Tuesday, April 18th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  IMF closes office in Argentina

  The International Monetary Fund permanent representative in Argentina, Andrew Wolfe abandoned last weekend Buenos Aires signaling the definitive closure of the local office following a request from the Argentine government.

• Tuesday, April 18th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Work in pulp mills resumes with dispute unchanged

  Paper pulp mill workers in Uruguay returned Monday to work after a 10-day break over the Easter holiday.

• Tuesday, April 18th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Chavez promises of accessible gas to smaller neighbours

  Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will be the key speaker Wednesday in Asuncion, Paraguay when introducing a plan to lay a large transcontinental gas pipeline to the benefit of Paraguay, Bolivia and Uruguay.

• Monday, April 17th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile to tighten ties with Bolivia and Peru

  Chile is prepared to restore diplomatic relations with Bolivia and sign a free trade accord with Peru regardless of who wins that country's presidential election, the foreign minister said in comments published yesterday.

• Monday, April 17th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Mad-cow disease confirmed in Canada

  The Canadian government said Sunday that it has confirmed a case of mad-cow disease in a cow in British Columbia.

• Monday, April 17th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Pope Benedict offers first Easter view

  In his first Easter message as pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI urged countries yesterday to use diplomacy to defuse nuclear crises, apparently alluding to Iran.

• Monday, April 17th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  U.S. shareholders criticize Goldman Sachs for Park deal in Chile

  Goldman Sachs CEO Henry Paulson has come under fire from irate shareholders who say he is using company assets to further his own personal environmental goals in Chile.

• Monday, April 17th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  First environmental alert of year issued in Chilean capital

  Santiago is under its first environmental alert of the year Monday in an effort to reduce air pollution and protect the health of the Chilean capital's nearly 6 million residents.