With food prices rising, a greater number of Santiago households appear to be turning to alternative food markets.
The Euro slid beneath the 1.50 US dollar Monday to 1.4966 amid concern over the Euro zone economic outlook and confidence that the European Central Bank won't raise interest rates anytime soon.
China's main measure of wholesale inflation accelerated in July to its fastest since 1996, adding to headaches for the government as it tries to rein in surging consumer prices, according to data reported Monday.
The Bank of England decided on Thursday to keep interest rates on hold at 5% as it struggles to deal with a slowing economy and spiraling inflation. Many reports have shown the economy heading for a significant slowdown or even a recession.
The European Central Bank (ECB) has kept its interest rate benchmark unchanged at 4.25% amid signs of slowing economic growth. ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet said growth in the 15-nation bloc had been particularly weak in mid-2008.
The Consumer Prices Index in Brazil slowed down to 0.53% in July from 0.74% the previous month, according to a release from the Brazilian Geography and Statistics Institute, IBGE.
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has posted a pre-tax loss of £691m during the first six months of 2008, the second-biggest loss in UK banking history.
Argentina's government bond spreads', which gauge investors' aversion to risk, widened sharply on Friday as confidence in the economic outlook and the political management of the country began to be questioned.
The IMF predicted the UK would grow by 1.4% in 2008 and 1.1% in 2009, down from the 1.8% for 2008 and 1.7% for 2009 that it predicted in July.
The United States budget deficit is expected to reach 400 billion US dollars in 2008, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office.