Mercosur

• Friday, June 18th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Greenspan continues until 2006.

  The United States Senate this Thursday confirmed, by acclamation, Alan Greenspan as Chairman of the Federal Reserve for a fifth consecutive mandate.

• Friday, June 18th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  FAM in northern Brazil.

  The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture reported this Thursday the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, FAM, in a farm in the northern state of Pará, the first since 2001.

• Friday, June 18th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina condemns UK “unilateral actions”

  Argentina claimed this Friday before the United Nations Decolonisation Committee, C-24, that the United Kingdom is “obstinately delaying” Falkland/Malvinas Islands sovereignty negotiations and warned about a succession of British “unilateral actions” in the South Atlantic disputed area, which have intensified during the last twelve months.

• Thursday, June 17th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Breaking news form Chile.

  Headlines:
  Chile programs natural gas supply diversification;
  1,7 million tourists expected in Chile this year; “White Lady” celebrates 50 years.

• Thursday, June 17th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Closer Brazil-Chile cooperation.

  Chile and Brazil agreed to renew efforts with the purpose of achieving South American countries integration emphasizing trade, communications infrastructure and science and technology development.

• Thursday, June 17th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  IMF concern with Argentine inflation.

  The IMF delegation currently in Buenos Aires for the third review of the stand-by agreement with Argentina said they were concerned with the retail prices index which is expected to reach 7,2% in 2004, far above the IMF forecasted 3% for the whole year.

• Thursday, June 17th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Tragedy in Patagonia coal mine.

  Six miners killed, eight missing and dozens treated for intoxication with carbon monoxide is the primary result of a fire that swept through a coal mine 600 meters deep, in the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz a few miles away from Puerto Natales in Chile.

• Thursday, June 17th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Basic rate in Brazil remains unchanged at 16%

  The Monetary Policy Committee of the Brazilian Central Bank decided this Wednesday for the third consecutive time to keep the basic Selic rate unchanged at 16% (9% in real terms). The decision was unanimous.

• Wednesday, June 16th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  More Latins immigrating to Europe.

  Poverty in their home countries and higher obstacles to entering the United States are pushing ever-greater numbers of Latin Americans to immigrate to Europe, from where they send home increasing sums of money now vital to national economies, the International Organization for Migration said in a study published Tuesday

• Wednesday, June 16th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Menem founds new Peronist faction.

  Former Argentine President Carlos Menem has launched a new political group within the Peronist party and vowed to return to Argentina soon.