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This article is about epresentatives from 12 South American countries signing an agreement to create a political and economic bloc modelled on the European Union.

Although one of the world's most prosperous nations, America does seem to lag behind most in one area: life expectancy. This is due to the generally unhealthy lifestyles of Americans and the inequalities between African Americans and whites. This article finds however that the gap between the two races is slowly narrowing, and life expectancy as a whole is increasing.

This article is about Brazil's desire to buy fighter planes and other military vessels from France. This relates to this week's topic because France has an absolute advantage when it comes to military machines, so Brazil wants to purchase them.

This article mentions one natural monopoly in Brazil, that one of eletric power. The electricity company Furnas is now facing serious problems in Brazil when trying to provide electric power, due to bad weather conditions, which have come so far as to cause a blackout in 18 states.

This article describes the attempts of American senators to allow American pharmacies and patients to import prescription drugs from other countries at government controlled rates, thus avoiding higher, unregulated prices in the US.

This article doesn't specifically mention a natural monopoly, but it refers to one because it is an industry with high sunk costs that is more efficient with less firms and central infrastructure.

Colombia-based multi-utility EPM has launched a prepaid electric power program for marginalized communities. EPM has monpoly over the electricity and water-supply which makes the firm narturally monopolistic.

This article explains that not only is there a food and shelter problem, but docotrs and medical staff are in a short supply and are needed now more then ever. medical supplies and resources have improved, but the crush of volunteer doctors in Port-au-Prince can complicate treatment in the city while there is great need for help in other places hit by the earthquake.As the city's main hospital is brimming with doctors, it is in need of nurses and physical therapists.

The government of Brazil has approved 61mn reals for the expansion of an airport. This expansion should reduce overcrowding in other airports. Because it is provided by the government, it is a public good. Because it reduces travel time, it creates a positive externality.

This Article Talks about how America has Hit a Recession that has impacted the Lower Waged Wokers the Hardest. According to the study, approximately 50 percent of households in the bottom decile of American income distribution are underemployed; in the second lowest decile, 37 percent of households can't find enough work. The authors write: "These extraordinarily high rates of labor underutilization among these two income groups would have to be classified as symbolic of a True Great Depression."

There is much speculation in Chile that the state copper company, Codelco, may sell its 40% share in the Edelnor generation JV. This could raise US$875 million. While not an actual privitization of a company, this represents a switch from government to private control.

This article is about the recent meeting between US President Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao. One of the topics of discussion was the Chinese currency. America believes that the yuan is devalued to give China an advantage in trade.

This article is about the World Bank approving a water quality and sanitation project in Argentina. The World Bank finances many development projects around the globe. This one will improve health, one source of development.

This article is about a pending deal to stop "banana" wars. This is a dispute over the policy enacted in 1993 to give preferential treatment to bananas from former British colonies, and to put tariffs on other bananas. This distorted the market and created barriers to entry and exit. It also meant that firms in former colonies were making supernormal profit in the European banana market. This deal will put an end to this policy and make move the market for bananas closer to one of pure competition.

This interview examines income inequality in the United States. Dan Ariely, a behavioral economist with Duke University, argues that Americans have become tolerant of the income inequality in the U.S., and that most people do not realize how great the difference in income is between wealthy and impoverished Americans.