Mercosur

• Thursday, May 12th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Latinamerica trade surplus with US grows 14,7%

  Latinamerica and the Caribbean countries trade surplus with United States increased 14,7% in March reaching 8,36 billion US dollars, reported Wednesday the US Commerce Department.

• Thursday, May 12th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil's inflation surges in April

  Brazil's consumer price index rose a 0.87% in April the highest monthly rate since last July (0,91%) according to the latest release from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, IBGE. Last March the index increased 0.61%.

• Thursday, May 12th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Bolivia on the verge of another major crisis

  Powerful Bolivian Indian leader Evo Morales rejected Wednesday President Carlos Mesa call for a consensus, insisting that his party will press for the immediate implementation of the Hydrocarbons bill which significantly hikes royalties and taxes for foreign oil and gas companies operating in the country.

• Thursday, May 12th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Lan Argentina begins operations June 8

  Lan Argentina, affiliate of Lan Chile will begin operations next June 8 with regular flights between Buenos Aires and Cordoba and Mendoza, reported the company Wednesday in Buenos Aires.

• Thursday, May 12th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  ALADI concerned with Falklands EU inclusion

  The inclusion of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and South Sandwich islands in the European Union constitutional treaty is of “great concern” to the Latin American Integration Association, ALADI.

• Thursday, May 12th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Central American leaders lobby US for trade deal

  The leaders of all five Central American countries as well as the Dominican Republic visited Thursday the White House in a show of strength intended to revive the ailing efforts by the administration of President George W. Bush to push a controversial trade agreement through Congress.

• Thursday, May 12th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina discussing new conditions with IMF

  Argentina requested the International Monetary Fund, IMF, an extension of repurchase expectations for this year, revealed IMF's spokesperson Thomas Dawson.

• Wednesday, May 11th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  UN could move to Brooklyn

  United Nations delegates, welcome to... Brooklyn?

• Wednesday, May 11th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Uruguayan feels he may have the edge

  Uruguayan diplomat Carlos Pérez del Castillo believes his “insider” status at the World Trade Organization (WTO) could yet give him the edge over France's Pascal Lamy in the race for its top job.

• Tuesday, May 10th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  More US pressure on Chinese renminbi rigidity

  United States Treasury Secretary John Snow currently visiting Beijing insisted that China must make its currency the yuan or renminbi pegged to the US dollar, “more flexible”.