Mercosur

• Tuesday, August 9th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  US contingency plan for a Venezuela oil cut off

  United States Congress has begun considering consequences of a potential Venezuelan petroleum cut off given the country's “political instability”.

• Tuesday, August 9th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Record bank heist in Brazil: 65 million US dollars

  A group of robbers stole a record 65.2 million US dollars by tunnelling into the vault of a regional branch of the Brazilian Central Bank, admitted officials in Rio do Janeiro.

• Tuesday, August 9th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Fed hikes base rate to 3,5% and promises more

  The Federal Reserve raised Tuesday the base interest rate 25 points to 3,5% and signalled that more gradual rate hikes can be expected since “pressures on inflation have stayed elevated”

• Monday, August 8th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile planning to limit migration to Easter Island

  The Chilean government is considering limiting migration to the world famous archaeological Easter Island with the purpose of stopping the indigenous population from being overrun by people from “overseas”.

• Monday, August 8th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Ecuadorian military increasingly uneasy

  Ecuadorian Armed Forces high command met urgently over the weekend to analyze the possible scenarios following the announced return of ousted president Lucio Gutierrez, a former Colonel, who apparently is planning to walk across from neighbouring Peru.

• Monday, August 8th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  US company questions new Bolivian oil bill

  United States' Vintage Petroleum company notified the Bolivian government that it will appeal to the bilateral investment protection treaty in pressing its case against Bolivia's new Hydrocarbons Act.

• Monday, August 8th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Punta Arenas encouraged with cruise season prospects

  A significant increase in the cruise vessel traffic this coming season, 2005/06, is expected in Punta Arenas with the number of calls growing 34,7% and passengers 27,8%, said Eduardo Manzanares head of the Empresa Portuaria Austral which manages the local port.

• Monday, August 8th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Lan Argentina begins flights to Rio Gallegos

  Chilean flag carrier associate Lan Argentina will begin next September daily flights Buenos Aires-Rio Gallegos, was officially announced over the weekend by Argentine Federal Planning Office minister Julio de Vido in the Government House of Patagonian Santa Cruz province.

• Monday, August 8th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Menem wins primary for Senate seat

  Despite his advancing age, legal problems, a stint of self-imposed exile and poor showing in Argentina's last presidential election, former President Carlos Menem has taken a big step toward a political comeback by easily winning a primary for a Senate-seat in next October's mid term election.

• Saturday, August 6th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Fresh political turmoil brewing in Ecuador

  The “accidental” presidency of Ecuador's Alfredo Palacio was startled Friday by unions and powerful social organizations accusing him of betrayal and hinting he could be ousted as was his predecessor just four months ago.