Central and South America

• Venezuelan businesses object to haggling
  AP ( 17, 2008)
  CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Business leaders tired of taking the blame for Venezuela's soaring inflation are chiding government officials for encouraging consumers to help fight rising food prices by haggling with retailers.
   
  
• Brazil oil strike negotiations stall
  AP ( 17, 2008)
  SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) - Negotiations between striking Brazilian oil workers and state oil company Petrobras stalled late Wednesday with no immediate end of the walkout in sight.
   
  
• Venezuela puts nation's interests first in mining
  AP ( 22, 2008)
  CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Venezuela's environment minister said Saturday that the government will put national interests first in the mining sector and forbid mining in a biodiverse forest reserve that is home to two of the country's largest gold concessions.