Alcohol, mainly wine has become cheaper than bottled water in New Zealand, a study showed Friday, with researchers warning there could be major implications for public health. However an independent television news investigation questioned the report.
Representatives from Chile’s Council of Food Exporters met this week for 90 minutes with the Chile’s Treasury Minister, Felipe Larraín, to express their concern over the loss of competitiveness in the sector as a result of the declining value of the US dollar versus the Chilean peso, and to propose a series of measures to address the issue.
Finance Minister Guido Mantega said the government is ready to take additional measures to limit gains in the Real, including stricter limits on risk exposure for investors in the futures market, should the currency continue to strengthen.
US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has opened the way to a new round of quantitative easing. There would appear, all else being equal, to be a case for further action, he said, in a speech to the Boston regional Federal Reserve, Friday.
European Union and Mercosur representatives concluded Friday in Brussels a new round of negotiations for an association and cooperation agreement for which they have proposed an ambitious work calendar extending until mid 2011, when the accord could be closed.
Chilean President Sebastian Piñera revealed that the rescue operation for the 33 miners trapped during 70 days 622 metres underground in the north of the country cost between 10 and 20 million US dollars.
Brazil is considering selling 100-year bonds after Mexico succeeded in offering the longest-maturity debt issued by a Latin American country, Treasury Secretary Arno Agustin said.
The Colombian government announced it would restrict the inflow of dollars into the country, one of several measures to try and prevent the local Peso from appreciating against the greenback, which this year already reached 14%.
Inflation expectations in Argentina for the next twelve months, based on the October’s Inflation expectations poll from the Torcuato Di Tella Business School Finance Research Centre reach 33.7%.
United States President Barack Obama's approval rating fell to a new low of 43% since he took office, down from 47% last month, according to a Reuters-Ipsos national poll. Ipsos pollsters say it appears that much of that drop comes from Democrats whose approval of Obama fell to 70% from 78% last month.