Stories for 2008

Wednesday, October 1st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Ecuador calls on Europe to reform migration policies

Ecuador spoke out against the European Union's policy on migration during the General Assembly's annual high-level debate Tuesday, stressing the need to protect the right of people to move freely.
Wednesday, October 1st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Brazil cautions Europe on the Immigration Pact

Brazil said the recent deision by Justice Ministers to support the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum reinforces a negative predisposition and allows forms of control that when applied “may probe arbitrary or contrary to human rights”.
Wednesday, October 1st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Uruguay's 12 month fiscal deficit to August: 0.4% of GDP

Uruguay's consolidated fiscal deficit in the twelve months to August was 0.8% of GDP, which means it has remained relatively stable (July 0.9%), according to official data from the Ministry of Economy.
Wednesday, October 1st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Uruguay's total debt equivalent to 68% of GDP

Uruguay's overall debt at the close of the second quarter was 18.2 billion US dollars, having increased 779 million US dollars over the first quarter, thus totalling the equivalent to 68% of GDP. At the end of March the debt/GDP ratio was 70%.
Wednesday, October 1st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Ireland bail out plan rattles European banking system

The European Commission said on Tuesday it is “in close contact” with the Irish government over its decision to guarantee all bank deposits. Concerns have been raised that Dublin's move may give Irish banks an unfair advantage over foreign competitors.
Wednesday, October 1st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Europe fines nine oil companies for the “paraffin mafia”

The European Commission fined on Wednesday nine petrochemical companies a total of 676 million Euros for forming a “paraffin mafia” to fix prices and carve up markets for wax.
Wednesday, October 1st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Argentina's debt spread at its highest since June 2005

Argentina's sovereign debt spreads topped 1,000 basis points on the JPMorgan EMBI+ index 11EMJ on Wednesday as investors worried about the country's ability to keep servicing debt in coming years, amid tighter credit conditions.
Wednesday, October 1st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
France, US, Sweden on track for Brazil's fighter jets contract

Brazilian Air Force announced on Wednesday it had chosen US Boeing Co., France's Dassault and Sweden Saab as finalists in a tender for the purchase of 36 fighter jets, part of a fleet renewal.
Wednesday, October 1st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Brazilian sugar and ethanol coop plans to triple production

Brazil's largest sugar and ethanol cooperative Copersucar said on Wednesday it had become a company and plans to triple its production in the next ten years. Founded in 1959 Copersucar expanded operations and became one of the world's biggest private exporters of sugar and ethanol.
Wednesday, October 1st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Largest fall in remittances from Mexicans in US

Remittances from Mexicans living in United States dropped 12% in August, the largest fall since the Bank of Mexico began tracking records twelve years ago, the country's Central bank reported on Wednesday