Economy

• Monday, July 28th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Mexico and Brazil risk ratings down, Argentina's climbing

  Mexico and Brazil risk ratings dropped six and nine points respectively while Argentina's climbed ten, according to the EMBI index from the US JP Morgan bank reported on Monday the Mexican Finance ministry.

• Sunday, July 27th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Raul Castro marks anniversary with austerity warnings

  

  Cuban President Raul Castro has warned that Cubans must be prepared for the consequences of the current global economic crisis.

• Sunday, July 27th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Main trade nations agree to save Doha negotiations

  

  The current ministerial summit in the framework of the WTO Doha Round of world trade talks has been extended until Wednesday in an effort to save the negotiations from collapse.

• Saturday, July 26th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Housing rescue bill, passed on Saturday, waits for Bush stamp

  

  Congress passed a housing rescue bill Saturday aimed at sparing 400,000 struggling homeowners from foreclosure. President Bush is expected to sign the measure quickly.

• Friday, July 25th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Housing rescue bill moves swiftly in US Congress

  

  United States House of Representatives passed on Thursday a massive housing rescue bill that could help struggling homeowners get cheaper loans. The vote came after the White House announced that President George Bush had dropped his threat to veto it.
  
  The bill will now be passed to the Senate for approval before being signed into law.

• Friday, July 25th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentine farm row impacts strongly on industrial activity

  Industrial activity in Argentina during the month of June expanded 1.8% compared to the same month a year ago but dropped 4% against May as a consequence of the prolonged stand off between farmers and the administration of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

• Friday, July 25th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Last minute efforts to break global trade deadlock

  

  The ministerial meeting in Geneva in the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO) long-running Doha round talks has failed to break the deadlock and several issues remain intractable, from farm subsidies to car import duties.

• Thursday, July 24th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina authorizes export of 45.000 tons of beef in July

  

  Argentina authorized the export of 45.000 tons of beef, following on June's 51.000 tons but still short of orders for 77.000 tons. The monthly export figures are regulated by an agreement reached between the government and farmers' organization which privileges domestic consumption.

• Thursday, July 24th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  S&P raises Uruguay's credit rating one level to BB-

  

  Uruguay's debt rating was raised one level by Standard & Poor's, citing the country's economic expansion and international debt reduction. S&P lifted Uruguay's foreign-debt rating to BB-, three levels below investment grade, from B+. The outlook on the rating is stable, S&P said in a statement.

• Thursday, July 24th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil fertilizer industry expects record sales year

  

  With high prices for soy and corn, which are spurring growers to plant more, the Brazilian fertilizer industry expects a record volume sales year. However fertilizers high cost could have an impact for some crops.