Economy

• Monday, October 8th 2012 - 06:15 UTC

  Sunday of protests against austerity measures in cities across Spain

  

  Thousands of Spaniards on Sunday marched in cities across the country to decry tough austerity measures, part of a growing protest movement that shows no signs of abating and could culminate in a general strike in November.

• Saturday, October 6th 2012 - 15:16 UTC

  IMF cuts global growth estimates; calls for clear political leadership to restore confidence

  

  The IMF has cut its global growth forecasts for this year and 2013 and called on politicians in the Euro-zone and the US to take “decisive” steps to restore confidence, a German newspaper said Friday.

• Saturday, October 6th 2012 - 15:09 UTC

  Borders and Coast Guards in conflict won’t yield; government looks for scapegoats

  

  Argentina’s Security Ministry decided the intervention of the Border Guards’ Department of Judicial Affairs due to “severe deficiencies” found in the application of the officers' “wage demands”, which led to the current situation that on Friday night was beginning its fifth consecutive day of conflict.

• Saturday, October 6th 2012 - 15:06 UTC

  Brazil wants Paraguay back in Mercosur following “democracy compliance” test

  

  Brazilian Foreign minister Antonio Patriota said on Friday that Paraguay could resume membership of Mercosur and Unasur without the need to wait for presidential elections next April 2013 as long as “full compliance with democracy” can be verified.

• Friday, October 5th 2012 - 22:58 UTC

  Brazil food giant Marfrig preparing for a long weekend of Xmas festivity

  

  Brazil’s food giant Marfrig and the second largest in beef provision, is increasing the use of its installed capacity to address the growing domestic demand according to Joao Sampaio, deputy chief Marfrig’s investors relations.

• Friday, October 5th 2012 - 22:55 UTC

  Brazil September inflation higher on food prices, but bank could further cut Selic rate

  

  September inflation in Brazil was up 0.57% on higher food prices according to the latest release from the country’s stats office, IBGE. This was the highest rate since last April (0.64%) and the steepest for September since 2003, (0.78%).

• Friday, October 5th 2012 - 22:51 UTC

  Significant drop in US unemployment triggers controversy with former GE CEO

  

  The US unemployment rate fell last month to its lowest rate since January 2009, figures from the Department of Labour have shown, surprising analysts who had been expecting a small rise.

• Friday, October 5th 2012 - 22:47 UTC

  Decline in Canada’s canola crop impacts on oilseed markets

  

  Chicago soybean futures edged higher on Friday, building on the last two sessions of gains with support from a revival in US exports and a surprise decline in estimates for Canada's canola crop.

• Friday, October 5th 2012 - 19:57 UTC

  Capriles claims Chavez ‘handed out’ 9 billion dollars to Mercosur allies

  

  Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Henrique Capriles claims that the regime of President Hugo Chavez handed out nine billion dollars to Mercosur members (except for Brazil and Chile) as part of his plan to “export the Bolivarian revolution”.

• Friday, October 5th 2012 - 06:10 UTC

  Argentine Coast and Border Guards conflict unchanged in its fourth day

  

  Argentine Border and Coast Guards members were moving into their fourth day of conflict despite the fact the government of President Cristina Fernandez had deposited their full pay-checks that had been ‘mistakenly’ severely cut, based on Decree 1307. Prospects are that the conflict could extend until Tuesday.