Mercosur

• Wednesday, November 26th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazilian economy shows signs of recuperation.

  Brazil's economy appears to be emerging from the recession and is showing signs of improvement with industrial production on the rise and a healthy trade surplus, according to Brazilian Central Bank Chairman Henrique de Campos.

• Wednesday, November 26th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  No end in sight for AIDS epidemic.

  The AIDS epidemic shows no signs of abating, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, and political action to fight the virus is failing, according to a report released.

• Tuesday, November 25th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Pinochet at 88, no regrets and defiant as ever

  Former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet regrets nothing from his 17 years of iron-fisted rule and denies ever having ordered anyone killed. Far from seeking the forgiveness of thousands killed or abused during his regime, Pinochet believes he's entitled to an apology for the assassination attempt on his life in 1986 that killed five of his bodyguards.

• Monday, November 24th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  OAS monitors recall vote in Venezuela.

  Organization of American States, OAS, Secretary General Cesar Gaviria arrived in Venezuela to monitor the collection of signatures sponsored by the government with the purpose of removing 38 members of the Congressional opposition.

• Monday, November 24th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Crisis brewing in Ecuador.

  This Monday the Ecuadorian cabinet will be resigning in an effort to ease the pressure on beleaguered President Lucio Gutierrez because of the alleged link of some high officials of his administration with narcotics gangsters.

• Monday, November 24th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Europe recovering, says IMF.

  The latest data indicate that the recovery in the European Union will be better than expected according to Anne Krueger, International Monetary Fund, First Deputy Managing Director.

• Monday, November 24th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Financial support for Uruguay.

  Uruguay received a 200 million US dollars loan from the Interamerican Development Bank, IDB, to help stabilize the banking system, ensure liquidity and the recovery of depositors trust.

• Monday, November 24th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Army's links to kidnapping gangs under investigation.

  A Buenos Aires province Supreme Court report warns of possible ties between Argentine soldiers and criminal gangs implicated in murders and kidnappings, in which police involvement is also suspected.

• Thursday, November 20th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  US-Brazil anticipate Miami success.

  The proposal of creating a variable-speed (“flexible”) Free Trade Association of the Americas, FTAA, seems to have gained ground in the current ministerial meeting in Miami in spite of Chile, Mexico and Canada who prefer a more committed and rigid accord.

• Thursday, November 20th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentina: Breaking News.

  Headlines:
  Sustained industrial expansion; Review of public utilities rates only in 2004; Unemployment and corruption, Argentina's nightmares; Argentine officers join Chilean Army exercises; Economic state of emergency extended to 2005.