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NIGHT FELL WITH a chorus of jungle sounds--birds, crickets, howler monkeys, and the rumbling thunder of a tropical rainstorm in the distance. A wooden canoe crept along the banks of [...]

IT'S THE EVENING RUSH HOUR in Sao Paulo, the world's fourth-largest city, and frustrated commuters roll down their car windows for a bit of air as they wait out yet [...]

The article examines Venezuela's economic policies relating to the food industry and grocery trade. President Hugo Chávez has made regulation of food prices and subsidies for food for the poor a priority, but government ownership of much of the food industry and agriculture has not prevented food shortages following a currency devaluation in 2009. The operations of the government-owned supermarket chain Mercal are examined.

The article discusses economic conditions in Brazil and presents economic forecasting for that country. Brazil is forecast to be one of the first countries to emerge from the global recession, with economic growth projected to be as high as 4.5 percent in 2010. The country's willingness to embrace globalization and economic policies of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are discussed as some of the reasons for Brazil's economic resilience.

The article discusses international business enterprises in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. K. Alan Russell works with U.S. based companies with operations in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico in order to assure executives that reported violence within the city has not affected their personnel. José Reyes Ferriz, mayor of Ciudad, believes that the violence lost the city 20 foreign business projects and some 5,000 job opportunities.

This article reports on issues surrounding the possibility of the U.S. reviving its manufacturing industry instead of relying on Chinese outsourcing for production. Due to a weakened U.S. dollar, rising oil prices that affect shipping rates, and increasing wages in China, the global supply chain has been affected in a way that makes it advantageous for the U.S. to shift some of its manufacturing back to the U.S. INSET: LINKS.

The article is about the charity organization One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) and the difficulties it faces as it tries to give a laptop computer to every child in the world. The founder and chairman, Nicholas Negroponte, had difficulties making deals with computer and software companies such as Intel and Microsoft, and frequently had disagreements with other members of OLPC.

The article discusses the effect of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on U.S. manufacturing jobs, noting the allegations of U.S. Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama that NAFTA is the primary reason for the loss of these jobs. Arguments for the benefits of free-trade agreements are presented. The closure of many U.S. textile mills since the institution of NAFTA is noted. The role of the World Trade Organization is highlighted.

The article discusses Cuba's economic growth in 2007 and the ways in which Cuban citizens hope that the government will change since former Cuban President Fidel Castro's retirement and Raúl Castro's rise to the presidency. Cuban oil resources, a growing tourism industry, and Cuban doctors offering services to foreigners all could help the Cuban economy to strengthen. The U.S. embargo and other factors, though, hinder Cuba from being self-sufficient.

The article discusses immigration into the U.S. and 2008 U.S. presidential candidates' proposed solutions. There are 12 million unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. and half a million cross the border every year. 2008 U.S. presidential candidate John McCain says he will secure the border as do fellow candidates Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee. There are 300 miles of fencing and 14,900 border patrol agents protecting the border.

The article describes how the working poor in Mexico have been exploited as a previously untapped source of revenue for big business. Micro-lending was previously seen as nonprofit service until businesses realized that poverty-stricken consumers were willing to pay higher interest rates than were wealthier consumers. The article notes that sometimes these institutions charge more than 100% interest. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has got in to the business of micro-lending in Mexico. INSETS: A BOOMING POVERTY MARKET;WAL-MART BANKS ON THE 'UNBANKED'.

The article focuses on Aditya and Lakshmi N. Mittal, the father and son team that head Arcelor Mittal Steel. The company's history and the educational background of Aditya and Lakshmi are discussed. Details related to the merger of Mittal Steel and Arcelor are presented, as well as the purchase of International Steel Group in 2004.

This article reports on the growth and importance of a number of companies, based in the developing world, that have the potential to become industry leaders in their fields, threatening the traditional hegemony of similar companies in developed countries. Third world firms are becoming prominent in telecommunications, computers and IT, construction and aerospace, areas once considered the purview of western companies. INSETS: 'We Have the Vision To Be No.1';Taking a Brand Name Higher.

Looks at how nearly eleven million undocumented immigrants in the United States are effecting the American economy. Review of how companies of all sizes are eager to do business with immigrants, regardless of their status; Summarization of how illegal aliens have been the target of national attention for the past two decades, largely for negative reasons; Reports on how the fast-growing undocumented population is coming to be seen as an untapped engine of economic growth; Author's view that U.S. consumer companies, including banks, insurers, mortgage lenders, and credit-card outfits, have decided that the population of undocumented immigrants is simply to large to ignore; Question of whether or not corporate willingness to do business with the undocumented demographic will further inflame opposition to illegal immigration. INSET: ...THAT COMPANIES ARE LINING UP TO SERVE.

Focuses on the impact of the retirement of baby boomers on the world economy. Efforts of countries world-wide to reform their retirement systems; Reasons why benefit cutbacks are likely in many nations; Impact of the rising global lifespan; Potential for crisis in China, where the pension plan is running a big deficit.

Explores the impact the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has had on Mexico nearly ten years after it was first signed. Examples of Mexican workers who have jobs as a result of NAFTA; Claim that NAFTA represents one of the most radical free-trade experiments in history, ranking on par with Europe's creation of the euro and China's casting off of Marxism for capitalism; Statistics and figures on foreign investment and exports; Political impact of NAFTA on Mexico; Reasons why opposition to NAFTA is growing in Mexico; Reaction of Mexico's politicians to the growing disenchantment; Failure of NAFTA to stop illegal immigration to the United States; Failure of the Mexican government to invest adequately in infrastructure and education.

The article focuses on the effect of the U.S. attack on Afghanistan on the U.S. economy. The economic efficiency is hurt due to companies worrying about the safety of their staff and facilities leading to slowing down of the free flow of people and goods. Globalization had enabled manufacturers to increase productivity which led to lower prices of consumer goods.

Focuses on the planned meeting between Mexican President Vicente Fox and United States President George W. Bush to discuss a new framework for regulating the increasing flow of Mexican immigrants to the U.S. How the U.S. may ease restrictions for Mexican immigrants through such measures as a guest-worker program; Social and political implications; Public debate over the issue, including opposition from many conservatives; Expectation that it will be difficult to implement an agreement.

Presents a special report on the Latin American automobile industry, as of October 2000. The manufacturing revolution there, spurred by a decade of market reforms and expanding free-trade agreements; How carmakers have been centralizing production in Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina; The morale of employees and their willingness to undergo intense training; The automakers' focus on selling cars in the local markets in addition to exporting them. INSETS: BIG-TICKET ITEMS;BRAZIL SHOWS HOW MUCH IT LOVES CARMAKERS, by Jonathan Wheatley.

The article discusses the impact of the election of President Vicente Fox on the economy of Mexico. According to Gustavo Gutiérrez, businessman, the election of Fox will provide a representation for the hardworking people of Mexico. Gutiérrez imports machinery for the garment industry. He rose to victory on a pledge to bring accountable governance to Mexico. According to John M. Bruton, CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico, they are optimistic of the governance of Fox. He added that Fox has the authority given by the election results and the charisma to address change. Emphasis will be given by Fox to the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Reports on the business enterprises of Mexican mogul Carlos Slim Helu. Control of Prodigy Inc., the pioneer of Internet service providers (ISP), since 1997; Other holdings which include a United States fiber-optic network, cellular-phone companies in Puerto Rico and Florida, and Telmex which provides telephone service to Mexico; How Slim became the richest man in Latin America; Plans to buy out Comp USA, the largest computer retailer in the US.