Stories for August 2015

Tuesday, August 18th 2015 - 10:25 UTC
Chemical blast in Tianjin halts work at auto and farm equipment plants

Toyota and John Deere have said they will halt work at plants near China's port of Tianjin where huge explosions last week killed more than 100 people. Toyota's production lines will be closed until the end of Wednesday while John Deere suspended work indefinitely.
Tuesday, August 18th 2015 - 09:28 UTC
Former Petrobras top official sentenced to 12 years in prison

A Brazilian judge sentenced Nestor Cervero, former international chief of state-run oil firm Petrobras, to just over 12 years in prison on Monday for corruption and money laundering related to a bribe allegedly paid to the speaker of Brazil's lower house of Congress.
Tuesday, August 18th 2015 - 09:15 UTC
Markets estimate Brazil's recession will spill over to 2016, says Central bank

The Brazilian Central Bank weekly Focus Bulletin released on Monday indicates, for the first time, according to the prevailing opinion among financial institutions that the current recession of the country's economy will extend well into 2016. According to Focus the market forecasts a retraction of the Brazil's GDP of 0.15% in 2016.
Tuesday, August 18th 2015 - 09:08 UTC
Trump blasts Saudi Arabia for making 'a billion a day' and funding terrorism

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump backed the commitment of ground troops if necessary to cripple the Islamic State and complained the US has always come out in support of Saudi Arabia, and while they make 'a billion a day', they are also the world's biggest funder of terrorism.
Tuesday, August 18th 2015 - 08:55 UTC
South Georgia expects another cruise record season this 2015/16 season

South Georgia is looking ahead to a new record year in the coming 2015/16 cruise ship season, according to the latest edition of the South Georgia Newsletter.
Tuesday, August 18th 2015 - 08:38 UTC
Uruguay's largest fish processing plant suspends activities: 960 workers redundant

Uruguay's largest fish processing company Fripur, generating half of the exports in the country's sector, will lay off 960 workers and suspend its activity from Aug. 19, after falling into administration, it was reported in Montevideo.
Monday, August 17th 2015 - 08:16 UTC
Nine banks agree to pay US$2bn to investors over rigged foreign exchange rates

Nine banks have agreed to pay 2 billion dollars in settlements to US investors over claims they rigged foreign exchange rates, according to lawyers. They are taking action on behalf of investors, including hedge funds and pension funds, who accuse banks of conspiring to manipulate rates.
Monday, August 17th 2015 - 08:07 UTC
Ecuador declares state of emergency as volcano Cotopaxi becomes active

Ecuador's President Rafael Correa declared a state of emergency Saturday after increased activity the day before at the giant Cotopaxi volcano, giving the government greater leeway to mobilize financial resources in the event of an eruption.
Monday, August 17th 2015 - 07:54 UTC
Ecuador hits back at the UK over the Assange asylum case in London

Ecuador has hit back at the UK government over who is to blame for the deadlock in the case of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. The 44-year-old Australian has been living in Ecuador's embassy in London for more than three years to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faces sexual assault allegations.
Monday, August 17th 2015 - 07:28 UTC
UK offers funds for development of Science and Innovation projects in Uruguay

The British Embassy in Montevideo offers funds to collaborate with the development of Science and Innovation in Uruguay through financing cooperation projects between Uruguayan and British researchers and institutions.