Forecasting the future for a stormy economy

Renowned economist David Wyss takes a look at current economic trends and what they mean for the future.

SEACARGO AMERICAS CONFERENCE

Slump in trade hits cargo carriers hard

International cargo lines may lose $20 billion this year as the poor economy leads to layoffs, route reductions and increased competition.

MONEY-LAUNDERING

Fraud suspect's home is on market

A Delray Beach home that belonged to fraud suspect Helmut Kiener is for sale by a Cayman Islands liquidator trying to repay investors.

TRADE

Cuban spending on U.S. food may decline

Cuba's government is estimated to spend less than $590 million on American food in 2009 -- down at least 32 percent from last year.

LATIN AMERICAN ECONOMY

Weak U.S. could hamper recovery

Latin America shows signs of a rebound, but the specter of a weak dollar and inflation in the U.S. looms.

ADVERTISING

Frost Group buys Chinese ad firm

The Frost Group engineered the $80 million purchase of a Chinese outdoor advertising company.

MEDIA

Firm acquires Latin Business Chronicle

Coral Gables-based Miami Media is doubling down on Latin American business news with the acquisition of online journal Latin Business Chronicle.

The move, announced Monday, comes after Miami Media purchased the assets of Latin Trade magazine in May 2008, giving the two-decade old publication life after bankruptcy.

Miami Media acquires Latin Business Chronicle

Miami Media, the owner of Latin Trade magazine, LatinTrade.com and the BRAVO Business Awards, said Monday it has acquired Latin Business Chronicle, an online publication specializing in Latin American business news.

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY

Latin American economies rebounding faster then U.S.

The International Monetary Fund says Latin American economies are rebounding from the global crisis faster than the U.S. economy.

The IMF says Latin American and Caribbean economies should expand 2.9 percent overall in 2010.

OIL PRICES

Weaker dollar to blame for price spike

Unlike last year when fear of oil shortages caused a spike in prices, this time, the falling dollar is to blame for a surge at the pump.

Televisa considers cable purchases, wireless partner

Grupo Televisa, the world's largest Spanish-language broadcaster, wants to increase its cable TV holdings and may seek a partner to buy wireless airwaves for mobile high-speed Internet service.

HOTELS

Las Vegas hotel called a victim of bad timing

A judge toured the bankrupt Fontainebleau Las Vegas and declared it was a great project -- with lousy timing.

WHITE-COLLAR CRIME

Univisión Radio official pleads guilty to embezzlement

The business manager for Coral Gables-based Univisión Radio Florida pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to embezzling about $550,000 from his employer.

AIRLINES

American suffers $359M loss in 3Q

Revenue tumbled as traffic fell sharply for South Florida's largest carrier, American Airlines.

Judge: Can't enforce $98M judgment against Dole

A Miami judge has ordered that a $98.5 million judgment against U.S. food giant Dole and Dow Chemical Co. cannot be enforced.

U.S. District Judge Paul Huck in Miami ruled Tuesday that the Nicaraguan court that awarded the judgment neither had jurisdiction nor met international legal standards.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

U.S. calls to Cuba have decreased

Possibly because more Cuban Americans are visiting Cuba these days, the number of calls to Cuba have gone down, as have U.S. payments for the calls.

CHINA

Chinese energy opportunities cited

China's energy needs took center stage at Miami Beach investors' conference.

China auto sales jump 78 percent

With 9.66 million units sold during the first nine months of the year, China leads the world in total 2009 vehicle sales.

SEX TOURISM

Costa Rica draws sex trade

The global recession has attracted more prostitutes and patrons to Costa Rica, where sex tourism thrives.