Mercosur

• Thursday, February 13th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazil cuts budget to show fiscal discipline.

  The Brazilian government announced draconian cuts in this year's budget on Monday but sought to highlight efforts to resolve social and economic problems with a series of emergency measures.

• Thursday, February 13th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Bush speaks out against Bolivian violence

  U.S. President George W. Bush on Thursday spoke out against the latest outbreak of violence in Bolivia and expressed his support for President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada.

• Wednesday, February 12th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Senate votes against impeaching Paraguay's president

  After a lengthy congressional session, Paraguayan legislators on Tuesday voted against impeaching President Luis Gonzalez Macchi, who stands accused of administrative malfeasance and corruption.

• Wednesday, February 12th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Death toll rises to 13 in Bolivia clashes

  The death toll from Wednesday's clashes between troops and striking police outside Bolivia's presidential palace has risen to 13, according to hospital personnel, who said that another 79 people were wounded.

• Tuesday, February 11th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazil cuts budget to show fiscal discipline.

  The Brazilian government announced draconian cuts in this year's budget on Monday but sought to highlight efforts to resolve social and economic problems with a series of emergency measures.

• Monday, February 10th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Debate on the efficiency of government

  The debate about private or government control of public utilities is back in Argentina and polls indicate public opinion is divided on the issue but with a majority demanding at least a greater government regulatory presence.

• Monday, February 10th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Judge indicts Chilean Congressmen

  A judge in Chile has indicted three Congress members belonging to the ruling coalition on charges of taking bribes.

• Monday, February 10th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  “We miss Malán”

  Only forty days have elapsed since the most hated of all former Brazilian president Fernando Cardoso's ministers Pedro Malán left office, but trade union and business leaders are already saying they “miss Mr. Malán”.

• Monday, February 10th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentine private Antarctic charter cruise

  The first Argentine private charter cruise vessel sailed last weekend from Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego for its maiden voyage to the Antarctic with a group of Ukrainian scientists and officials who will be doing research work and supplying the Vernasky base, formally belonging to the British under the name of Faraday.

• Monday, February 10th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Varig and TAM merge.

  Brazil's two largest airlines, Varig and Tam, announced they will be merging their operations in a joint venture to overcome the deep crisis in the industry. With a joint fleet of 218 aircraft and 29 million passengers a year, the joint venture to be listed in the stock exchange would be larger than some European airlines.