AS/COA examines the Brazilian Congress’ decision to vote against extending the provisional tax on financial transactions and how this affects future fiscal spending.

With Peru hosting the annual APEC summit in 2008, growing economic ties between Asia and Latin America get another boost. An AS/COA Asia-Latin America update takes a closer look at prospects for the 2008 APEC Leaders Summit, links between Mexico and South Korea, and the Free Trade Area of the Pacific.

Marking the conclusion of President Calderon’s first year in office, the AS/COA looks back at his accomplishments and challenges ahead in the new year. Opinion polls give the President a higher rating than that of his predecessor at the same point in time.

Without comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level, U.S. states are now passing their own legislation. In the first of a series of U.S. immigration updates, AS/COA outlines how new state laws affect public benefits, employment, and identification.

After winning nearly 45 percent of the vote in the first round of elections, President-Elect Cristina Fernández de Kirchner will assume office on December 10. Continued economic growth and revamping the national statistics institute will be top concerns.

On October 28, over 15 million Colombians cast ballots to elect 32 governors and 1,098 mayors and local council members. In a key election, Samuel Moreno of the Polo Democrática Alternativo won the Bogotá mayorship.

With former President Alberto Fujimori returning to Peru to stand trial for corruption and human rights abuses, AS/COA looks at his impending trial. A new update also examines the country’s overall economic performance, including potential ramifications of discontent in the mining industry.