ASIA-PACIFIC | South Korea's Central Bank Leaves Rates Unchanged as U.S. Econ...

ASIA-PACIFIC

South Korea's Central Bank Leaves Rates Unchanged as U.S. Economy Slows South Korea's central bank left interest rates unchanged and signaled it may raise them in coming months to stem inflation. Finance Minister Jeon Yun Churl said an increase would cause ``panic' as global growth slows. More...

Attache: Outlook for Japan's Beef Market Improving Says consumption to recover

Japan's Current Account Surplus Shrank in July as Exports Dropped 1.9% Japan's current account surplus shrank in July as the yen's 9.4 percent gain against the dollar this year cut into the value of exports. More...

Jobless Rate Rises to 2.9 Pct in August The unemployment rate remained below the 3-percent mark for the fourth consecutive month in August, despite rising slightly due to torrential rains during the monsoon season. According to data released yesterday by the National Statistical Office.

Japanese Promotion 09/12/2002 Australian beef integrity promoted to Japan trade and media.

China Blocks Web Search Engines: Country Fears Doors To Commerce Also Open Weak Spots (Post, Sept. 12, 2002) SHANGHAI, Sept. 12 (Thursday) -- China's government has begun blocking access in recent days to two widely used Internet search engines, Google and AltaVista, intensifying its effort to control the flow of information while at the same time embracing the profit-making potential of the global computer network.

FMD exercise turns to human impact The country's simulated outbreak of foot and mouth disease is now under control, but attention has turned to [FULL STORY]

Betaine Boosts Lean Tissue Deposition in Pigs - 9/12/2002  Australians get even greater performance gains using betaine in combination with pST.

AMERICAS

Report: Dowtown businesses forced to pay for mafia protection  TheNewsMexico.com -Over 300 businesses in the capital's Historic Center buy protection from mafia style gangs that operate in the area, a local daily reported Wednesday. About 60 armed men working for an organization... Full  Story

Brazil could overtake US in food production, economist says  Brazil may replace the United States as the world's breadbasket unless the US solidifies its agricultural research and redesigns its farm programs, says University of Minnesota Regents' professor G. Edward Schuh. "We have let our support for agricultural research decline in this country, while Brazil continues to support its agricultural research," Schuh says. "And technological advances in Brazilian agriculture have been phenomenal in recent years." 09/11/2002 08:53 a.m. CDT

Economist Warns of Brazil Pressure - 9/12/2002  The U.S. needs to solidify its ag research and redesign its farm programs in order to continue to dominate, he says.

Argentina's Bankers Still Cautious Economy: Government is bullish about a move to ease the banking freeze, but political problems leave some wary.

Hot Air or Step Forward?  The Inter-American Democratic Charter, adopted a year ago to strengthen the rule of law in the hemisphere, faces a decisive test: Can it help heal Venezuela? Or is it just a meaningless piece of paper?

Attache: Argentina Beef Production to Remain Stable 9/11/2002 Says exports are expected to increase9/11/2002

EUROPE-RUSSIA-ME

EU Has U.S. Trade Sanctions List  Thu Sep 12, 8:26 AM ET  BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - U.S. products ranging from cereals to nuclear reactors are on a draft list prepared by the European Union ( news - web sites)'s head office for potential trade sanctions totaling up to $4 billion.

EU: New European Food Safety Authority holds first board meeting 12 September 2002 The first meeting of the management board of the new European Food Safety Authority will be held 18/19 September in Brussels.

Gordeyev Sees Leap in Grain Sales Agriculture Minister Alexei Gordeyev said Wednesday that Russia is set to boost its grain exports.

USA

Trade Deficit Swells to $130 Billion Thu Sep 12, 8:42 AM ET  The deficit in the broadest measure of trade swelled in the second quarter to a record $130 billion, reflecting Americans' hardy appetite for foreign-made cars and other goods. Full Coverage

Losses Expected to Continue Through Fall, Says Economist - 9/12/2002  But he adds that 'per head equity losses will not be as severe as some recent months.'

Wal-Mart, UFCW spar over union representation, case-ready meat The "hot" topics of union representation and case-ready meat have been causing sparks to fly lately between the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union and Wal-Mart -- and they have been generating tough talk from both sides.

FSIS to hold public meeting on listeria in R-T-E products issues and ideas related to the science of improving the safety of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products will be discussed at a Food Safety and Inspection Service meeting Nov. 18 in Washington, D.C., according to a news release.

Calling in the Pros 09/12/2002 Major U.S. pork producer looks to professional chef firm for the development of new products.