Mercosur

• Thursday, June 30th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile's unemployment drops to 8,3%

  Chile's national unemployment rate dropped to 8,3% in the March-May quarter, the lowest since the same period in 1998, according to the latest release from the National Statistics Institute.

• Thursday, June 30th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  UN forecasts 3,25% world economy expansion for 2005

  The world economy is forecasted to expand 3,25% this year compared to 4,1% in 2004 which in itself is “benign”, although it entails certain risks said Jose Antonio Ocampo Deputy Director of the United Nations Economic and Social Affairs Department on presenting a report on the world economy.

• Thursday, June 30th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  “US recession much closer than imagined”

  The chances of a United States recession or even a decline are closer than imagined warned Bill Gross, an influential financial guru who manages the largest mutual fund in the world with assets of 450 billion US dollars.

• Thursday, June 30th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile considering an atomic energy plant

  Chile which is considering resorting to nuclear energy, signed Wednesday with Russia an agreement for the peaceful use of atomic energy in the framework of a bilateral cooperation program.

• Thursday, June 30th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Uruguay/Spain rift over immigration

  Uruguayan minister of Foreign Affairs Reynaldo Gargano called on his countrymen to treat Spanish residents and visitors “politely” following a controversy with Madrid over the expulsion of Uruguayan immigrants.

• Wednesday, June 29th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Squid fishery north of parallel 39 closed as of June 27

  Argentina's Federal Fisheries Council (CFP) unanimously decided this week to close the Illex squid fishery north of parallel 39º 40' South, in the South Atlantic as of zero hour June 27.

• Wednesday, June 29th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Reforms in Chile's Defense Sector Advance

  Chile's Minister of Defense, Mr. Jaime Ravinet participated yesterday in Washington in a “Face to Face Encounter” at the Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies to discuss Chile's reforms aimed at restructuring and modernizing the defense sector.

• Wednesday, June 29th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Harvest falls in mixed year say Uruguayan wineries

  Uruguay has reported a total harvest for 2005 of about 90m litres. The result is some 10% below the annual average, as variable weather throughout the year made winemakers work hard for results.

• Wednesday, June 29th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Bolivia: Change to Oil Law

  A tax increase on foreign oil companies operating in Bolivia was signed into law yesterday by President Eduardo Rodríguez, raising the total charges from 38 percent to 50 percent effective immediately.

• Wednesday, June 29th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Brasilia taken over by protesting farmers

  A massive protest of Brazilian farmers and a first batch of 2.500 tractors converged on the capital Brasilia to protest about debts and a strong currency which hinders commodities exports.