Stories for 2008

Thursday, October 30th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
US economy shrinks 0.3%; crisis effects reaching jobs market

The United States economy shrank at an annualised rate of 0.3% between July and September, according to figures from the Commerce Department. GDP figures were better than expected, although they show the sharpest contraction of the economy since 2001.
Thursday, October 30th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Brazil leaves rates unchanged in spite of inflation fears

Brazil's central bank left the basic SELIC rate unchanged for the first time in six months on Wednesday. The Copom monetary council led by Henrique Meirelles voted unanimously to keep the benchmark interest rate ”for the moment'' at a two-year high of 13.75%.
Thursday, October 30th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Rise of methane gas in atmosphere puzzles scientists

The amount of methane in Earth's atmosphere shot up in 2007, bringing to an end a period of about a decade in which atmospheric levels of the potent greenhouse gas were essentially stable, according to a team led by Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers.
Thursday, October 30th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Argentine bank stabilizes Peso but uncertainty prevails

Argentina's peso closed Thursday trading at 3.39 to the US dollar, similar to Wednesday when the Central bank intervened with a billion US dollars in support of the local currency to stem a two-week slide sparked by concern the country will default.
Thursday, October 30th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Favourable 2009 beef export prospects for Brazil and Argentina

Beef exports are forecast to rise nearly 2% during 2009 as gains by Brazil, Argentina and the United States outweigh downturns in Australian and New Zealand shipments according to the US Cattle network
Thursday, October 30th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Chile's stock market looses 9.57% in Oct.; Peso down 26% in 08

Chile's stock market climbed 1.93% on Thursday but finished the turbulent October 9.57% down. As with most global markets Chile's bounced back following on a better performance in Wall Street and the Sao Paulo Bovespa index.
Thursday, October 30th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Absences and late arrivers mark summit in El Salvador

The current global economic and financial crisis overshadowed the official agenda of the 18th Ibero American two-day summit in El Salvador which ends on Friday.
Thursday, October 30th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Brazil' Petrobras agrees to explore for oil offshore Cuba

Brazil is scheduled to sign on Friday an agreement with Cuba for deep-water oil and gas exploration and production. The event is considered the highlight of the two day visit of President Lula da Silva to the island beginning late Thursday.
Thursday, October 30th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
EU business and consumer confidence falls to 15-year low

Business and consumer confidence in the 15 nations of the Euro zone fell to a 15-year low in October, the European Commission said Thursday, as a credit crunch hits consumer spending and forces companies to shed jobs.
Wednesday, October 29th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Mexico approves opening oil industry to private sector

In a turbulent session, the Mexican Congress Tuesday approved seven bills reforming the state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex), which holds a monopoly on the industry, to allow participation by private international firms.