In Friday's Americas papers

22 August 2008 12:07  [Source: ICIS news]

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Front Page

Iraqi army's rise boosted chances for US withdrawal
The Bush administration's preliminary security pact with Iraq calls for withdrawing most American combat troops by 2011, a development that seemed almost unthinkable even a few months ago.

Inflation is stinging US workers harder
Consumer prices are rising at their fastest pace in more than a decade in both the US. and the Euro zone. But it's affecting workers on the two sides of the Atlantic in very different ways.

Boeing considers bailing out of tanker bid
Boeing Co said it is inclined to bail out of its effort to win a $40 billion contract to build aerial refuelling tankers for the US Air Force unless the Pentagon agrees to give it a total of six months to submit a new bid.

Money & Investing

Inflation is stinging US workers harder
Inflation is rising faster than the wages of US workers compared with that of Europeans. However, economists say the euro zone faces a "major risk" of a wage-price inflationary spiral if businesses increase prices to cover labour costs.

Economy shows symptoms of ill health
As the Democratic Party gears up for a presidential convention next week that's likely to focus on economic issues, new data on the US labour market and other signs of weakness underscore the economy's fragility.

Lessons of financial crisis
Some of the world's brightest economic minds agree the current financial crisis exposed major flaws in the system, but disagree about the role regulators should play in preventing a repeat.

THE NEW YORK TIMES

Front Page

Iraq takes aim at leaders of US-tied Sunni groups
The Shiite-dominated government in Iraq is driving out many leaders of Sunni citizen patrols, the groups of former insurgents who joined the American payroll and have been a major pillar in the decline in violence around the nation.

Draft accord with Iraq sets goal of 2011 pullout
The United States has agreed to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by next June and from the rest of the country by the end of 2011 if conditions in Iraq remain relatively stable, according to Iraqi and American officials involved in negotiating a security accord governing American forces there.

Business Day

Olympics are ratings bonanza for Chinese TV
The broadcast of the Beijing Olympic Games has been a boon for China Central Television, one of the chief propaganda arms of the state and perhaps a new global media titan.

Some fear commercial property loans will be next stage in downturn
As the value of home mortgages crumbles by the day, Wall Street has hoped that commercial real estate loans would stay clear of the storm.

WASHINGTON POST

Front Page

US, Iraqi negotiators agree on 2011 withdrawal
US and Iraqi negotiators have agreed to the withdrawal of all US combat forces from the country by the end of 2011, and Iraqi officials said they are "very close" to resolving the remaining issues blocking a final accord that governs the future American military presence here.

Houses add up to a snag for McCain
Sen. John McCain's inability to recall the number of homes he owns during an interview yesterday jeopardized his campaign's carefully constructed strategy to frame Democratic rival Barack Obama as an out of touch elitist and inspired a round of attacks that once again ratcheted up the negative tone of the race for the White House.

Business

Hoyer advocates for a four-day work week
In a letter to the Office of Personnel Management, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) asks agency to consider transitioning to a four-day work week for all federal employees.

Giant puts on a fresh face for upgrades
Official unveiling of new Giant logo is scheduled for today at the Georgetown Square store in Bethesda. Employees will also be donning new "logo wear" uniforms.

GLOBE AND MAIL, Canada

Front Page

Ottawa aims to put its stamp on 2010 Games
The Harper government says the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony must reflect its agenda as the price of its $20-million commitment to the event, an internal government briefing memo says.

Shock and Hall
My goodness but Adam Van Koeverden hates losing. Losing badly? Don't even go there.

Business

RBC, US watchdogs talk securities settlement
Royal Bank of Canada [RY-T] is in settlement talks with US regulators over its role in the troubled $330-billion (US) auction-rate securities market, a move that will likely result in the bank repurchasing some of these investments from retail clients.

Carney wants derivatives trading addressed
The Bank of Canada urged a federal panel studying securities regulation to include derivatives trading as part of its deliberations.

BUENOS AIRES HERALD

Front Page

Aerolíneas takes off in Congress
The Lower House yesterday started debating and at press time seemed headed to passing a bill to renationalize former flag carrier Aerolíneas Argentinas and its sibling firm Austral, after even pro-government legislators introduced key changes on Wednesday that were fostered by the administration of President Cristina Kirchner.  Read More  

Ex-air force chiefs on trial for rights abuse
A trial against three former air force officers accused of human rights violations during the 1976-1983 dictatorship began yesterday at the Comodoro Py court in Buenos Aires City. The accused are retired air force brigadiers Hipólito Mariani and César Comes, who commanded the clandestine detention centre known as “Mansión Seré,” and army colonel Alberto Pedro Prada, who was in charge of security in the city of Mar del Plata. The two brigadiers, aged 82 and 83, are charged with eleven separate counts of torture and may face 25 years in jail if convicted.  Read More  

Church wants say on new bill
The Catholic Church yesterday expressed its “concern” facing the possibility of being excluded from the debate regarding the broadcasting bill backed by the government, when a meeting held by the Synod committee ended up without a statement about current affairs. “Bishops are concerned about whether they will be excluded from that debate, that’s why they reiterate they would like to take part in the discussions and not lose their acquired rights,” Synod spokesperson Jorge Oesterheld said.

ICIS Copyright © Reed Business Information 2009

Author: Staff Reporter
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