Mercosur

• 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.

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

  Salomonic Lula.

  Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva clearly identified with the anti globalization ideas of the Porto Alegre Social Forum, this week end will be the guest star at the Davos World Economic Forum, where he will try to convince leading businessmen and industry captains to trust Brazil and keep investing in the country.

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

  Koehler cautions Argentina

  Even when Mr. Horst Köhler, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), confirmed he is recommending to the IMF's 24-member Executive Board approval of transitional financial support for Argentina, Mr. Koehler also pointed out the “exceptional risks” involved in the transitional program 2003 and which relate to “the fragility of the macroeconomic policy framework and the political challenges to implementation”.

• Sunday, January 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Oviedo supporters and minor parties to hold primaries in Paraguay

  Paraguay's smaller political parties, including the one founded by convicted coup leader Lino Oviedo, are set to hold primaries Sunday leading up to the April 27 general election

• Sunday, January 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Chavez voices confidence in “Friends of Venezuela”

  Visiting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said here Saturday that he would give a vote of confidence to the “Friends of Venezuela” group being formed to mediate the crisis between his government and the opposition.

• Friday, January 17th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  IMF-Argentina agreement

  The International Monetary Fund, IMF, confirmed this Thursday in Washington that an agreement had been reached with Argentina, which will be considered by the multilateral financial organization board in the coming days.