
Argentine opposition lawmakers presented on Thursday March’s inflation index based in the analysis of nine private agencies, which showed a 2.3% increase over the previous month.

The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) averaged 216 points in March 2012, virtually unchanged from 215 points in February. Among the various commodity groups, only oils prices showed strength, compensating for falling dairy quotations, while the indices of cereals, sugar and meat prices were largely unchanged from February’s level

World trade growth will slow for a second year to 3.7% in 2012 but “severe” downside risks could drive it further below the 20-year average of 5.4%, the World Trade Organization forecast on Thursday.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter is trying to schedule a trip to Brazil to speak at a public hearing about a controversial World Cup bill FIFA wants approved as soon as possible.

Billionaire investor George Soros said financial markets are concerned other countries will follow Germany’s Bundesbank in girding against the end of the Euro.

The Argentine maritime workers union, SOMU, decided not to work overtime, a measure which affects most ports from inland Rosario on the Paraná River to Bahía Blanca on the South Atlantic, when thousands of trucks are lined up with the summer harvest.

Jim Yong Kim, the US nominee to head the World Bank, told the bank's board of directors that he would not hesitate to question the status quo and do his best to help the world poorest.

The US and forty countries which formalized a joint statement before the World Trade Organization complaining about Argentina’s trade restrictions are considering moving a step further and begin a “disputes settlement” process which could lead to an open condemnation if the administration of President Cristina Kirchner does not lift the protectionist network.

The International Monetary Fund will make a compulsory review of Argentina’s economy because of the country’s refusal to allow the multilateral organization to examine its finances since 2006, the Buenos Aires media reported on Wednesday quoting IMF sources.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described Brazil as a “responsible country” in world affairs and praised Brazil’s “growing impact in global stability and security”, during an event at the US Chamber of Commerce.