Mercosur

• Tuesday, February 4th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Breaking News

  Headlines: Mercosur against the war; US economy growth drops abruptly; Seven million undocumented; Brazil targets higher surplus.

• Monday, February 3rd 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Lula wins support for reform plan

  President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil gained support for his reform agenda in Congress at the weekend as newly elected legislators joined its ranks and voted for a pro-government leadership in both houses.

• Wednesday, January 29th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  IMF full marks for Lula

  The International Monetary Fund confirmed that the current IMF supported program for Brazil “is on track” and reiterated its optimism regarding the current administration's commitment to strong macroeconomic fundamentals and improving social equality. The official release reads as follows.

• Wednesday, January 29th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  “Sleeping giant” criticises American protectionism

  Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his French counterpart Jacques Chirac criticised American protectionism that according to the Brazilian leader impedes developing countries to grow.

• Wednesday, January 29th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Mercosur summit next June

  Mercosur's Common Market Group, GMC, currently convened in Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, confirmed that the block's presidential summit would be held next June in this city.

• Tuesday, January 28th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Fed expected to leave rates unchanged

  The United States Federal Reserve is expected to leave interest rates unchanged when its Monetary Committee convenes this week. The threat of war and the slowing of the US economy will be the prevailing facts behind the decision according to Wall Street analysts.

• Monday, January 27th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  IMF-Argentina agreement

  Last Friday the Executive Board of International Monetary Fund finally approved an eight months transitional agreement with Argentina that should enable the country to face coming payments in the next eight months. An enthusiastic Argentine president Eduardo Duhalde declared “Argentina is back in the international community” and congratulated Finance Minister Roberto Lavagna and Central Bank president Alfonso Prat Gay.

• Sunday, January 26th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  “Hunger can't wait” Lula tells the world's powerful

  Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Sunday told movers and shakers gathered at the World Economic Forum in Davos that “hunger can't wait,” and called for both a “new economic order” and the creation of an international anti-poverty fund.

• Thursday, January 23rd 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Breaking News

  Headlines:Argentina repays loans; Hispanics first US minority; Carter proposal for Venezuela; Chile forecasts 3,5% expansion; Venezuela closes currency markets; Chilean cabinet reshuffle postponed

• Wednesday, January 22nd 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Signs of Venezuela oil strike weakening

  A seven-week oil workers' strike in Venezuela appeared to be weakening on Tuesday, although industry experts said it would be many weeks before the government of President Hugo Chávez was able to ramp up oil exports to anything close to pre-strike levels.