Mercosur

• 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.

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

  Bio-alcohol fuel for fumigation aircraft.

  Embraer the giant Brazilian aircraft manufacturer officially presented this week a prototype of a agriculture fumigation aircraft, “Ipanema” that runs on bio-alcohol.

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

  Three candidates for WTO chair.

  The next Director General of the World Trade Organization will be nominated at the latest next May 31, revealed WTO General Council president Shotaro Oshima from Japan.