Stories for October 2013

Wednesday, October 9th 2013 - 05:28 UTC
IMF forecasts higher growth for Argentina this year, but reliability of official stats remains controversial

Argentina’s growth has recovered because of an abundant crop but economic activity continues to be contained because of the exchange rate and other administrative controls, according to the IMF latest World Economic Outlook (WHE), Latam and Caribbean chapter released on Tuesday. The IMF statement refers to Argentina’s export duties and the so called ‘dollar clamp’ which bans even saving in US dollars.
Wednesday, October 9th 2013 - 05:25 UTC
Lower commodity prices and poor infrastructure cut Latam growth prospects says IMF

The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday cut its economic growth forecast for Latin America and the Caribbean, blaming, at least in part, poor infrastructure and lower commodity prices. In its latest World Economic Outlook report, the IMF noted that emerging markets generally were facing a dampening of growth amid “less supportive external conditions and domestic supply-side constraints.”
Tuesday, October 8th 2013 - 19:00 UTC
Cristina Fernandez in ‘good mood’; successful surgery, 30 to 45 days convalescence

Argentine president Cristina Fernandez ‘surgery has been satisfactory and is recovering favourably’ announced early Tuesday afternoon presidential spokesman Alfredo Scoccimarro addressing the media and pro-government supporters outside the Fundación Favaloro clinic in Buenos Aires
Tuesday, October 8th 2013 - 18:32 UTC
IMF forecasts sluggish expansion in developing world; trims global output estimate

The International Monetary Fund trimmed its forecasts for global output for the sixth time since early last year, saying stronger growth in most advanced economies would fail to make up for a more sluggish expansion in the developing world
Tuesday, October 8th 2013 - 18:20 UTC
Brazil car output and sales drop in September following on a strong August

Brazil's car output and sales dropped in September from August, adding to signs of economic weakness in the third quarter after a surprisingly good start to the year. Automobile production in Brazil dropped 2.5% and sales fell 5.9% in September from August, the national automakers' association Anfavea said
Tuesday, October 8th 2013 - 18:15 UTC
Brazil limits Chinese state-controlled companies to joint bidding for largest offshore oil prospect

Brazil is limiting Chinese state-controlled oil companies to joint bids to develop its largest offshore oil discovery, amid concerns the players could share data and reduce competition ahead of the 21 October auction, said Brazilian officials.
Tuesday, October 8th 2013 - 17:24 UTC
Zanini, admirer of Mao’s China, the strongman in absence of Cristina Fernandez

His nickname is ‘El chino’ (the Chinese) because of his strong Maoist tendencies when a law student. Long a solicitor, Carlos Zanini is Argentine president Cristina Fernandez (and of her deceased husband Nestor Kirchner) most trusted aide and top of the Kirchnerite ‘nomenclature’.
Tuesday, October 8th 2013 - 17:20 UTC
London launches paper warning on defence income lost and costs for an independent Scotland

A Scotland analysis paper on Defense, published on Tuesday, highlights the extent to which an independent Scotland would no longer benefit from the £34 billion annual UK defense budget, one of the largest in the world.
Tuesday, October 8th 2013 - 06:38 UTC
Nobel medicine prize for work on how hormones are transported in and outside cells

Americans James Rothman and Randy Schekman and Germany's Thomas Suedhof won the 2013 Nobel medicine prize for their work on how hormones are transported within and outside cells, giving insight into diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer's.
Tuesday, October 8th 2013 - 06:33 UTC
Peaceful marches of protesting teachers turn violent in Rio and Sao Paulo

Protesters demonstrating in support of teachers receiving better pay in the Brazilian cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo have clashed with police. The centre of Rio was packed with more than 10,000 people marching peacefully. But as it got dark, some protesters threw firebombs at public buildings and riot police responded with tear gas