Mercosur

• Sunday, October 24th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  IMF warns about soaring oil price.

  The soaring price of crude oil has become a risk for the world economy and will have a visible impact over growth next year, said International Monetary Fund Managing Director Rodrigo de Rato.

• Saturday, October 23rd 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Court overturns Menem dismissal.

  A Buenos Aires court on Friday overturned a ruling dismissing charges against former Argentine President Carlos Menem in a case involving arms smuggling to Ecuador and Croatia between 1991 and 1995

• Saturday, October 23rd 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil denies nuclear-weapons capability.

  Brazil's Science & Technology Ministry on Friday criticized a report in the U.S. magazine Science that says the South American nation has the capability of producing up to six nuclear bombs per year.

• Saturday, October 23rd 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Unemployment eases in Brazil.

  Unemployment in Brazil's main six metropolitan regions dropped in September to 10,9% the lowest so far in 2004, according to the Brazilian Geography and Statistics Institute, IBGE.

• Friday, October 22nd 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Promising signs of gas in Chilean coastline.

  A group of scientists from the Valparaiso University in a joint research cruise with the Chilean Navy confirmed this Thursday the discovery of gas hydrates on the ocean bed between the cities of Valparaiso and Concepcion.

• Friday, October 22nd 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Electoral Tribunal confirms president Lula's fine.

  Brazil's Electoral Board Tribunal confirmed this Thursday the fine (equivalent to 17,000 US dollars) imposed on President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for having campaigned and requested voters to support the Workers Party candidate for mayor of the city of Sao Paulo.

• Friday, October 22nd 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Lan Chile's “monopoly” questioned again.

  Chilean Deputy Zarko Luksic, president of the Congressional Public Works and Transport Committee said he was concerned with all the information provided by representatives of Aerolíneas del Sur, Chile, who claim they face growing impediments to operate in the country.

• Friday, October 22nd 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Mercosur-EU to resume talks first quarter of 2005.

  Mercosur and the European Union finally were unable to reach the free trade agreement self imposed timetable of October 31, but decided to keep talking when the new officials of the European Commission take their posts.

• Thursday, October 21st 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina unbending with hake conservation.

  Argentine Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Secretariat (SAGPyA) Miguel Campos will be announcing an additional distribution of 16,500 tonnes of common hake (Merluccius hubbsi) for this season among Argentine vessels.

• Thursday, October 21st 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil Central Bank raises basic rate to 16,75% .

  Brazil's Central Bank raised this Wednesday the basic SELIC interest rate half a point from 16,15 to 16,75% with the purpose of lowering inflation expectations given the strong domestic demand and surging international oil prices.