Mercosur

• Wednesday, May 4th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Peruvian Congress questions legality of ruling party.

  The Peruvian congressional committee investigating falsification of voter registration signatures concluded that President Alejandro Toledo engaged in criminal conspiracy and violation of public trust. Mr. Toledo's sister, Margarita, has been under house arrest since January on similar charges raised by the committee.

• Wednesday, May 4th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Rice lobbies strongly for free trade with Central America

  Pushing for freer trade in a continent where many interpret it as a tool for the rich northern part of the hemisphere Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Tuesday hailed Latin America as a region that understands the value of free markets and democracy.

• Wednesday, May 4th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Twentieth anniversary of Argentina-Chile peace treaty

  Congress members plus Navy officers from Argentina and Chile paid homage Monday in the Beagle Channel to Pope John Paul II in coincidence with the twentieth anniversary of the enforcement of the Peace and Friendship Treaty between both countries.

• Wednesday, May 4th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Freedom of the press absent in Cuba and Venezuela

  According to “Reporters without borders”, 53 journalists lost their lives while on duty in 2004, the highest number in the last ten years. During the first four months of 2005, 22 have been killed and 105 are jailed.

• Tuesday, May 3rd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Antarctic project to unveil climate secrets

  A scientific Antarctic sea bed sediments project with the purpose of unveiling global climate secrets of the past was undertaken this season by the United States icebreaker “Nathaniel Palmer” which called in Punta Arenas after three years absence.

• Tuesday, May 3rd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Further IMF praise for Brazil's perfomance

  More International Monetary Fund praise for Brazil, this time in the latest edition of the IMF Survey, where Deputy Director for the Latinamerican Department Charles Collyns anticipates Brazil will be one of the world's “heavy weights” in the next five to ten years.

• Tuesday, May 3rd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Fed raises basic rate to 3%, and promises more

  Arguing that “pressures on inflation have picked up in recent months and pricing power is more evident” the United States Federal Open Market Committee decided Tuesday to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 3 percent.

• Tuesday, May 3rd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  US admits crucial role in OAS vote

  United States admitted Tuesday it played a crucial role in making Mexican Foreign Affairs minister desist from his candidacy to the Organization of American States, OAS, Secretary General post and so opening the way for the elected Chilean candidate Jose Miguel Insulza with an overwhelming support.

• Monday, May 2nd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Ecuador's govt gets support from OAS

  The OAS will maintain diplomatic relations with the new government of Ecuador, headed by Alfredo Palacio, the former vice president whom the nation's Congress named to replace President Lucio Gutierrez after it summarily removed the latter from office on April 20

• Monday, May 2nd 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  World's workers rally on May Day.

  Millions of workers from Tokyo to Havana and across Europe took to the streets Sunday in May Day rallies and marches to demand improved conditions and protest government policies.