Mercosur

• Sunday, June 22nd 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Another Fed interest rate cut?

  The United Stated Federal Reserve concerned with the slow growth rate of the US economy could reduce interest rates further this coming week when the Open Monetary Committee meets again, reports The Washington Post.

• Saturday, June 21st 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Third meeting between Presidents Lula & Bush.

  Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil on Friday became the first head of state who opposed the US-led war in Iraq to be received by US President George W. Bush in Washington.

• Friday, June 20th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Decree limits Argentine president's power to shape high court

  Argentine President Nestor Kirchner signed a decree Thursday placing limits on his power - and that of future heads of state - to fill Supreme Court vacancies.

• Friday, June 20th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Strong Earthquake Rocks Chile

  A strong earthquake rocked north central Chile Friday, damaging houses but causing no injuries, authorities said.

• Thursday, June 19th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil reduces basic interest rate.

  After two days of deliberations Brazil's Central Bank Monetary Policy Committee, COPOM, reduced the Selic basic interest rate half a point to 26%. The much expected announcement was interpreted as a clear signal that after almost a year of persistent steady prices, inflation had reached its inflexion point and has began a moderate slide.

• Thursday, June 19th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Mercosur target: single market by 2006.

  Under the undisputed leadership of Brazil and Argentina, Mercosur members, associate members Chile and Bolivia, and as special guest Venezuela, the South American trade block celebrated the XXIVth presidential summit in Asunción, Paraguay with the commitment to strengthen the political agenda and expand regional integration creating a genuine single market by 2006.

• Wednesday, June 18th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Mercosur takes a step towards free trade pact talks with India.

  Mercosur foreign ministers have signed the draft of a negotiating protocol they hope will eventually lead to a mutually beneficial free-trade pact between the South American trade bloc and India.

• Wednesday, June 18th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazilian president awarded Prince of Asturias prize

  Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was named Wednesday as this year's winner of the Prince of Asturias Prize for International Cooperation, the latest individual to be honored by the Hispanic world's equivalent of the Nobels.

• Wednesday, June 18th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Breaking News.

  Headlines:
  FTAA timetable in doubt;
  Ample support for President Kirchner;
  Buenos Aires and Montevideo among the cheapest cities.

• Tuesday, June 17th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Crucial week for Brazilian markets

  Brazilian market analysts believe the country controversially high interest rates could have reached a peak and will begin dropping following this week's meeting of the Central Bank's Monetary Policy Committee, Copom.