Mercosur

• Friday, March 18th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Cuba Announces Revaluation of Currency

  President Fidel Castro late Thursday announced a 7 percent revaluation of Cuba's national currency, giving Cubans slightly more buying power as the communist-run island moves to reassert greater control over its economy.

• Friday, March 18th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Opec considers second output increase.

  The OPEC was yesterday considering a second output rise just a day after it raised its production quota, reflecting its anxiety about meeting oil demand later in the year.

• Friday, March 18th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Strike paralyzes Buenos Aires city airport

  The unions said that they want the government to keep control of LAFSA instead of privatizing it and threatened more strikes during Easter next weekend, when the airports will be stuffed with thousands of tourists.

• Friday, March 18th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Breaking News

  Headlines:
  Argentine economy expanded 9% in 2004; Russian peace mission in Antarctica; Experts looking into Standard Wool plant fire; Soaring profits for Chile's government copper mining.

• Thursday, March 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  US 2004 current account deficit: 665,9 billion

  United States reported a new record current account deficit in 2004, totalling 665,9 billion US dollars compared to the 530,7 billion of 2003.

• Thursday, March 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  OAS elects Secretary General April 7

  The Permanent Council of the Organization of American States, OAS, decided this Wednesday to call an extraordinary General Assembly next April 7 when the new Secretary General will be nominated.

• Thursday, March 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Hardliner nominated as World Bank president

  US president George Bush has nominated US Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz as president of the World Bank.

• Thursday, March 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Oil hits new record in spite of OPEC announcement

  Texas crude reached a new record high of 56,40 US dollars per barrel Wednesday in spite of OPEC having announced a 2% increase in oil supplies equivalent to an additional 500,000 barrels to the 27,65 million bpd it's currently pumping.

• Thursday, March 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Mr. Rato's “advises are not necessary”

  Argentine president Nestor Kirchner publicly stated Wednesday that International Monetary Fund Managing Director Rodrigo de Rato “advises are not necessary”.

• Thursday, March 17th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Unyielding Bolivia polarized between Mesa and Morales.

  Bolivia was again on the verge of political uncertainty following President Carlos Mesa decision to send Congress a bill advancing national elections and anticipating he would veto a hydrocarbons bill approved by the Legislative branch.