Economy

Monday, March 19th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
As EU approaches half a century, mood is ambiguous

As Europe approaches its fiftieth anniversary of the block's founding Treaty of Rome, 44% of citizens think life has got worse since their country joined the club, according to the latest public opinion poll released Sunday by the Financial Times.
Monday, March 19th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
China's economy energy consumption is “unsustainable”

China in 2006 consumed 15% of the world's energy to produce 5% of the global GDP, a situation described as “unsustainable” by Deputy Prime Minister Zeng Peiyan in an interview with “China's daily”.
Monday, March 19th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
China's Yuan upward march against US dollar

China's Yuan climbed to the strongest since a fixed exchange rate was scrapped in 2005 on speculation China's central bank will seek a stronger currency to slow the economy, after raising interest rates.
Friday, March 16th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
“Consumer demand strong” in spite of slow housing market

Former U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan said on Thursday that there is not yet any evidence that the slowing US housing market has negatively impacted on the wider economy.
Friday, March 16th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Venezuelan financial support to region exceeds US aid

Venezuelan financial aid to Latin America has surpassed U.S. commitments in the region, President Hugo Chavez said Wednesday, shortly after President Bush completed a tour seen by some as an attempt to curtail Chavez's spreading influence in the region.
Friday, March 16th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
US food prices push February inflation to 0.4%

United States consumer prices increased above forecasts in February pushed by the cost of energy and food which rose at its fastest rate for two years, according to the latest release from the US Labor Department.
Friday, March 16th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
China finally passes landmark property rights law

China's People Congress (NPC) by a surprising majority approved this week landmark legislation increasing private property rights following years of debate inside the Chinese Communist Party. At the end of the day only 90 of the 2.978 deputies voted against the law.
Friday, March 16th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
“Historic” debt relief for Latam's five poorest countries

United States Treasury Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Clay Lowery commended Friday the Inter-American Development Bank's “historic” approval of a debt relief package that will provide 3.4 billion US dollars in debt reduction for five of the region's poorest countries: Bolivia, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
Thursday, March 15th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Argentina completes four years running of economic growth

Argentina's GDP expanded 8.5% in 2006 completing four full years of recovery following the default and melting of the economy in 2002, according to official statistics released in Buenos Aires.
Wednesday, March 14th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Inflation up in China; fears of more credit tightening

Consumer prices in China during February were up 2.7% from a year ago, against January's rate of 2.2%, the National Bureau of Statistics said Tuesday.