Mercosur

• Tuesday, April 11th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Prodi claims Italy election victory

  Centre-left coalition leader Romano Prodi has claimed victory in Italy's general elections.

• Tuesday, April 11th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Oil prices settle at seven-month high

  Crude oil prices have hit record levels in London amid heightening concerns of a conflict between the US and Iran.

• Tuesday, April 11th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Famous and mysterious ancient Statue to be returned to homeland

  One of Easter Island's trademark “moai” will soon be returned its rightful place on the tiny Pacific island.

• Tuesday, April 11th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Alan Garcia, the most “convenient” president for Chile

  The prevailing opinion among Chilean political observers is that the most “convenient” candidate for Chile as Peru's next elected president is former president and Social democrat leader Alan García.

• Tuesday, April 11th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  US cities surprised with Hispanic massive rallies

  The massive demonstrations in United States pressing for immigrants' rights have led many Hispanics, and non Hispanics, to believe the time to show their political clout has arrived but whether the rallies will become votes and representatives in Congress has to be seen.

• Monday, April 10th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazilian Justice Minister sinking in scandal

  Brazilian Justice Minister Marcio Thomaz Bastos Sunday denied any links to the scandal that a few days ago forced the resignation of once-all powerful and President Lula da Silva's closest aide, Finance Minister Antonio Palocci.

• Monday, April 10th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Brief News

  Headlines:
  Airport heist in Chile nets gang $1.6 million; Fast ferry collides with whale: 49 injured; OAS Secretary General invited to Bolivia.

• Monday, April 10th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Ecuador cuts into private oil companies windfall profits

  Multinational oil companies operating in Ecuador called the government's decision to take a larger share of windfall profits a “legal atrocity”.

• Monday, April 10th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Chilean transition to democracy “complete, but not perfect”

  Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, who this week begins an official state visit to Brazil said to a Brazilian magazine that the transition (to democracy) in Chile “is complete, but not perfect”.

• Monday, April 10th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Populist leftist Humala wins Peru's first round

  Ollanta Humala, a former army commander whose nationalist campaign has polarized Peruvians, held a narrow lead in Peru's presidential election on Sunday, initial official results showed.