Mercosur

• Monday, January 31st 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  With few ideas to combat poverty concludes Davos Forum.

  The World Economic Forum gathered in Davos, Switzerland concluded Sunday with a message of hope for the Korean peninsula but with very few ideas of how to reduce poverty, combat sickness and stimulate the world economy.

• Monday, January 31st 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  FO Minister Bill Rammel will visit Brazil.

  Bill Rammell, Foreign Office Minister for Latin America, is visiting Brazil from 31 January to 1 February.

• Sunday, January 30th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  US economy expanded 4,4% in 2004

  The United States economy expanded at a slower pace than expected in the last quarter of 2004, --3,1%--, down from 4% in the third quarter but still managed to end the year with an overall growth of 4,4%, the strongest since the 4,5% of 1999.

• Sunday, January 30th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  IMF praises Brazilian economy performance

  The head of the International Monetary Fund mission in Brazil said he was impressed with the performance of the Brazilian economy during 2004 which helped to significantly reduce its financial vulnerability.

• Sunday, January 30th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Antarctic naval exercise involving “grounded cruise”

  In the framework of combined patrolling operations in Antarctic waters, the Argentine and Chilean navies participated last week in a contamination emergency exercise involving ARA “Suboficial Castillo” and the Chilean icebreaker “Almirante Oscar Viel”.

• Saturday, January 29th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Canada hosts international talks on overfishing.

  Canada will host international talks in May on what needs to be done to protect the world's dwindling fish stocks from rampant overfishing, officials said in Ottawa.

• Friday, January 28th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  China fuels currency uncertainty.

  The evolution of the Chinese Yuan, linked to the United States dollar, and several statements from different Beijing officials are causing concern in international currency markets.

• Friday, January 28th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Lula: Colombia-Venezuela crisis is “secondary issue”

  Brazilian president Luiz Inancio Lula da Silva called on Colombia and Venezuela not to waste energy bickering over secondary issues.

• Friday, January 28th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazilian president jeered in World Social Forum

  Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who until elected and during his first year in office was the darling of left wing and antiglobalization groups faced strong criticism during his appearance before the World Social Forum being held in Porto Alegre.

• Friday, January 28th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  US supports Flores for OAS top job

  United States formally announced Wednesday its support for former El Salvador president Francisco Flores as the next Organization of American States, OAS, Secretary General.