Mercosur

• Wednesday, July 14th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Controversy with Benetton's Patagonia holdings.

  Italian businessman Luciano Benetton rejected claims by Argentina human rights activist Adolfo Pérez Esquivel that he has taken land belonging to the Mapuche Indians in Argentine Patagonia.

• Wednesday, July 14th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  World oil demand forecasted to expand 2,2%.

  The International Energy Agency, IEA, estimates oil demand this year will reach 81,41 million barrels per day, which is equivalent to a 3,2% increase over 2003 and for 2005 forecasts a further increase of 2,2% equivalent to a daily consumption of 83,23 million barrels.

• Wednesday, July 14th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  First US trade deficit reduction in six months.

  The US trade deficit last May dropped 4,5% and now stands at 46 billion US dollars, the first contraction in six months, according to the latest report from the Department of Commerce.

• Wednesday, July 14th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Agriculture and subsidies condition Doha Round talks.

  The 147 country members of the World Trade Organization must reach an agreement on agriculture by the end of the month if the Doha Round is to advance in time for the implementation in 2005 of further trade liberalization

• Wednesday, July 14th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  A humble Lula celebrates 18 months in office.

  Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he has worked very hard “to put the house in order”, but “very few” have harvested the results of what has been planted in the last 18 months.

• Tuesday, July 13th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile, darling of foreign investors in the region.

  Chile figures ninth in the world ranking of countries best qualified for foreign invertors according to the US based consultants A. T. Kearney

• Tuesday, July 13th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Lula is Mercosur's “main leader”.

  Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva “is Mercosur's main leader”, said Argentine former president Eduardo Duhalde who currently is president of Mercosur's Council of Permanent Representatives.

• Tuesday, July 13th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Strong Chilean investment overseas.

  Chilean investments overseas in the first half of 2004 reached the 1998 half year mark considered one of the country's record totaling 997 million US dollars, 238% increase over 2003.

• Tuesday, July 13th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Plastic surgery and tango lessons in Buenos Aires.

  A United States company is offering tourist packages in Argentina that combine plastic surgery with leisure activities such as a seven-day excursion that includes silicone breast implants and tango, reported the Buenos Aires press last Sunday.

• Tuesday, July 13th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  July holidays boom in Argentina.

  An estimated 7,5 million Argentines are taking advantage of the mid term school holidays to travel to different parts of the country with their families.