Colombian lawmakers approve controversial tax reform

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's Congress gave the green light on Wednesday to a controversial bill that aims to streamline the country's complicated tax system but at the cost of reducing government tax receipts going forward.

Latin America unemployment lowest in two decades

LIMA, Peru — Latin America and the Caribbean have confirmed their reputation as being well-positioned to weather the global recession with the news that urban unemployment in the region fell during 2011 to its lowest level since records began.