Mercosur

• Monday, March 1st 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Breaking News from Chile.

  Headlines:
  Punta Arenas to become bunkering terminal; Europeans attracted by Torres del Paine Park; Unemployment drops in Chile; Another toothfish poacher?

• Monday, March 1st 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Chavez supporters reject U.S. “interference”

  Thousands of supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez filled the streets yesterday to protest foreign “interference” in the country's affairs and to demand ”respect for the (national) electoral authority.” Meanwhile, opposition groups demonstrated in eastern Caracas and in other Venezuelan cities against the decision by the National Electoral Council (CNE) to review questionable signatures collected in favor of the recall referendum against Chavez.

• Monday, March 1st 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Aristide Arrives in Africa

  Former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide arrived in the Central African Republic early Monday after fleeing his country, state radio reported.

• Monday, March 1st 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Patagonian lamb craze in Buenos Aires

  Patagonian dishes, but particularly Patagonian lamb has become highly fashionable in Buenos Aires restaurants and supermarkets in the last eight months according to the Argentine press.

• Sunday, February 29th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Mandarin replaces English as the main language

  English worldwide as the main language is declining surpassed by Chinese, and in half a century Arabic, Hindu languages and Spanish will also be ahead, forecasts scientist David Graddol.

• Sunday, February 29th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Group of 15 Summit close yesterday in Venezuela

  The 12th summit of the Group of 15 developing nations drew to a close Saturday marred by the slaying of one person and the wounding of dozens in violent clashes between opponents of President Hugo Chavez and his National Guard.

• Sunday, February 29th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  “Cheers” with Havana Club rum

  Fidel Castro from Cuba figures among the list of ten richest world leaders according to the US business magazine Forbes.

• Saturday, February 28th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  G-15 in Caracas marred by violent incidents

  Two people were killed and dozens injured Friday afternoon in clashes between Venezuelan Army troops and opposition demonstrators trying to reach the seat of an international summit being held in Caracas.

• Saturday, February 28th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  IMF praises Uruguay and postpones debt payments

  The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed this week the fourth review under the SDR 2.13 billion (US$3.2 billion) Stand-By Arrangement for Uruguay.

• Friday, February 27th 2004 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine debt in G 15 agenda.

  Argentine president Nestor Kirchner and a small delegation arrived Thursday evening in Caracas for the XIIth meeting of the G-15, where Argentina's dispute with its creditors and defaulted bondholders is expected to figure in the discussions.