Mercosur

• Friday, December 2nd 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  President Kirchner wraps cabinet reshuffle

  Argentine President Nestor Kirchner wrapped up Thursday the reshuffling of his cabinet taking the oath to four new ministers during a brief ceremony in Casa Rosada with no speeches and a general feeling of relief.

• Friday, December 2nd 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentina/UK Falklands' de-mining talks “positive”

  Argentina and Great Britain agreed last Thursday in London to continue with the feasibility studies for the de-mining of the Falklands/Malvinas, reported Friday the Argentine Foreign Affairs ministry.

• Thursday, December 1st 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Strong currency and exporters fears for 2006

  As the soaring Chilean peso set a new five year record against the US dollar pushed by the high prices of copper and less chances of Central Bank intervention, a poll showed that 44,7% of Chilean manufacturers are planning to cancel or postpone investments in 2006 because of the strength of the Chilean currency.

• Thursday, December 1st 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Lula and Kirchner “indispensable” partners, but?

  Brazil and Argentina presidents met Wednesday in the border town of Puerto Iguazú to celebrate the strategic partnership born out of twenty years of toiling towards economic integration, but also to address more pressing issues such as bilateral trade and support for Argentina's coming negotiations with the IMF.

• Thursday, December 1st 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Chile: Bachelet forecasted to win in spite of run off

  The Chilean ruling coalition candidate Michelle Bachelet will be forced to a run off with conservative Sebastian Piñera in the coming December 11 presidential election according to Foundation Chile 21.

• Thursday, December 1st 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazil and Argentina support Bolivia's Morales

  Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Argentina Nestor Kirchner praised Wednesday Bolivian Indian leader Evo Morales whom opinion polls identify as the front-runner for the December 18 general election in his country.

• Thursday, December 1st 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Opposition boycotts Venezuelan Sunday congressional poll

  Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez accused the opposition of trying to derail Sunday's congressional election because they have no popular support.

• Thursday, December 1st 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  US economy surprises with third quarter growth

  United States economic growth was much stronger than expected during the third quarter reaching an annual rate of 4,3% pushed by a surge in consumer and business spending although corporate profits were down.

• Thursday, December 1st 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Former vice-president to head Mercosur committee

  Former Argentine vice president Carlos “Chacho” Alvarez will become the new president of the Mercosur Commission of permanent representatives. He will be taking office during the December 8/9 presidential summit in Uruguay.

• Thursday, December 1st 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  World AIDS Day

  The United Nations has warned against the continuation of the epidemic growth and called for an exceptional response to the threat.