US construction spending rebounds in March on nonresidential structures

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. construction spending increased more than expected in March, boosted by investment in nonresidential structures, but single-family homebuilding remained depressed amid higher mortgage rates. The Commerce Department said on Monday that construction spending rose 0.3% in March after declining 0.3% in February. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast construction spending gaining 0.1%….

Read More

World Bank launches more robust, transparent business climate rankings

By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The World Bank on Monday unveiled new methodology and improved safeguards for assessing the business climate in up to 180 countries after embarrassing revelations of data irregularities and favoritism toward China forced it to cancel its flagship rankings two years ago. The bank scrapped its “Doing Business” rankings in September…

Read More

Paraguay election result calms fear of another Taiwan ally falling (for now)

By Lucinda Elliott ASUNCION (Reuters) – News of Santiago Pena’s election victory in Paraguay will be cheered by officials in Taiwan, which faces an uphill battle against China’s economic muscle to keep its remaining 13 allies worldwide, including its last in South America. Pena, who scored a sizeable win in Sunday’s presidential ballot, pledged throughout…

Read More