Stories for February 2014

Wednesday, February 5th 2014 - 08:38 UTC
US Senate passes 1 trillion dollars farm bill with crop insurance program, cuts in subsidies and food stamps

The United States Senate on Tuesday passed the long-awaited almost 1 trillion dollars farm bill, ending two years of partisan clashes and stalled negotiations. The bill was approved with strong bipartisan support, 68 to 32.
Wednesday, February 5th 2014 - 08:31 UTC
Argentina grateful to Grenada for Malvinas claim support, promises cooperation

Grenada foreign minister Nickolas Steele is in Buenos Aires for a two-day visit which included a meeting with his peer Hector Timerman and other top officials from the foreign ministry to discuss cooperation, economic development and trade issues.
Wednesday, February 5th 2014 - 08:27 UTC
Blackout in several Brazilian states that will be hosting the World Cup in June

A blackout late Tuesday hit eleven states of Brazil, six of which are scheduled to host the 2014 World Cup next June. Apparently a peak of demand caused by a heat wave had the grid down, but the government of President Dilma Rousseff attributed the incident to “a disturbance in the National Integrated System Operator” (ONS).
Wednesday, February 5th 2014 - 08:21 UTC
Falklands' oil industry developer Premier CEO steps down

Shares in UK's Premier Oil, which has interests in developing Falkland Islands oil, soared almost 9% on Tuesday despite news that its chief executive is to step down after nine years at the helm. Simon Lockett will leave his position and the board of Premier once a successor has been appointed.
Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 23:09 UTC
Deputy PM Nick Clegg in Colombia calls for new drugs policy in the UK

The UK should abandon its current drugs policy because the war on drugs is not being won, Nick Clegg has said. Speaking on a visit to Colombia, the deputy prime minister said different approaches were needed although he did not back full legalization. He also praised President Juan Manuel Santos commitment to the peace process with FARC and welcomed the human rights' policy.
Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 23:00 UTC
Desperate Argentine officials target big business as the culprits of the current situation

The Argentine government announced on Tuesday it has started “a thorough investigation on major foreign trade companies” which have allegedly registered accounting irregularities for 6.8 billion dollars. Cabinet Chief Jorge Capitanich said the Central Bank has reported “mining, grain, food, car and oil companies have exported but failed to account for foreign currency income.”
Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 21:39 UTC
Microsoft names Satya Nadella as new CEO; Gates becomes technology advisor

Microsoft Corp named company veteran Satya Nadella as its next chief executive officer, ending a longer-than-expected search for a new leader after Steve Ballmer announced his intention to retire in August.
Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 09:03 UTC
Brazilian police challenge Rousseff and threaten to strike during the World Cup

Only four weeks away from the World Cup and in a climate of growing social unrest Brazil police unions are threatening the government of President Dilma Rousseff with a national strike. For Rousseff it also means an additional challenge since on February 10 the ruling Workers Party will be launching her re-election bid for next October's presidential election.
Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 09:00 UTC
Yellen is sworn in as chair of Federal Reserve; Bernanke returns to academia

Janet Yellen on Monday was sworn in as chair of the Federal Reserve, the US central bank, replacing Ben Bernanke in the role. She is the first woman to hold the post at the Washington-based bank.
Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 08:56 UTC
China became Uruguay's main trade partner in 2013

China became Uruguay's main trade partner in 2013 totaling 20.9% of all trade according to the latest stats from the Central bank. This leaves China three percentage points ahead of Brazil, 18.8% (traditionally the main partner) and almost four ahead of Argentina with 18.1%.