Mercosur

• Wednesday, December 14th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  China ends 2005 as world's fourth largest economy

  China is forecasted to end 2005 as the world's fourth largest economy, ahead of Italy, France and Great Britain, once a review of GDP numbers is completed and made public.

• Wednesday, December 14th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  UN plans second phase of ozone layer protection program

  With the impact of ozone-depleting substances already reduced to 2% of their effect during peak years, representatives of the world's governments are meeting in Dakar, Senegal to plan the complete elimination of chemicals that destroy the protective layer of the atmosphere, the United Nations Environmental Program reported Tuesday.

• Wednesday, December 14th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Federal Reserve raised basic rate 25 points to 4.25%

  The Federal Open Market Committee decided Tuesday to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 4.25%. Most analysts had forecast the rise, the 13th consecutive increase, with the central bank wanting to keep the lid on inflationary pressures. In a statement, the Fed admitted some further monetary tightening would be needed.

• Wednesday, December 14th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazil to clear entire IMF debt

  Brazil, tapping into a surge in its foreign reserves, will pay back before year-end the remaining $15.5 billion it owes the International Monetary Fund.

• Wednesday, December 14th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Morales closer to changing Bolivia's history

  Indian leader Evo Morales could become Bolivia's first indigenous president next Sunday according to the latest public opinion poll and to some strategic appeasement public relations in which he has been involved.

• Wednesday, December 14th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  “Poor countries can't wait for agricultural trade reform”

  “Poor countries cannot wait for another twenty years to see true reform in agricultural trade”, argued Brazil Wednesday at the World Trade Organization ministerial meeting in Hong Kong

• Wednesday, December 14th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  New record for Latinamerican trade surplus with US

  Latinamerica and the Caribbean trade surplus with the United States climbed 5% to a new record last October, reported the US Commerce Department.

• Wednesday, December 14th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Increased Repsol/YPF investments in Argentina

  Spain's Repsol YPF SA, Europe's fifth-largest oil company, will increase its planned investment in Argentina by 12% in the 2005-2009 period announced Chairman Antonio Brufau in Buenos Aires, a 32% expansion over the previous five years.

• Wednesday, December 14th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Bachelet targets ruling coalition dissident votes

  The winner of the Chilean presidential election first round Michelle Bachelet presented Tuesday her new “Political-Strategic Command” with a leading presence of Christian Democrat personalities in what seems an attempt to attract the votes of the ruling coalition junior partner for the January 15 runoff.

• Tuesday, December 13th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Evo Morales denies Brazilian “meddling” in Bolivia

  Bolivian Indian leader Evo Morales said recent expressions of support for his presidential candidacy from Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were understandable given the leader's Socialist background, “but should not be taken as meddling”.