Stories for January 17th 2014

Friday, January 17th 2014 - 08:05 UTC
US dollar keeps breaking records in Argentina; central banks reserves fall a further 100 million

The US dollar reached a new record high on Thursday as purchase pressure on the so called “blue” or informal market continues pushing the price which closed 35 cents up at 11.50 pesos for buyers and 11.55 pesos for sellers.
Friday, January 17th 2014 - 07:57 UTC
Falklands oil companies agree on tension leg platform for development of Sea Lion field

The Tension Leg Platform option is the most suitable technical and commercial solution for the development of the Falklands' Sea Lion field, according to the recommendation from field operator Premier Oil, said Rockhopper Exploration in an official release, which also announced further drilling is expected in the next twelve months.
Friday, January 17th 2014 - 07:54 UTC
Falklands Sea Lion in 'the mid to longer term projects' of Premier Oil

UK independent Premier Oil reported Thursday that its production rate peaked at 75,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day during December, when the average rate was 69,000 boepd. Premier said that average production for 2013 as a whole was 58,200 boepd, compared to an average rate of 57,700 boepd for 2012.
Friday, January 17th 2014 - 07:45 UTC
US consumer inflation in December, 0.3% and in twelve months 1.5%

US consumer inflation spiked in December, driven higher by rising fuel prices. The consumer price index rose 0.3% on a seasonally adjusted basis, the US Labor Department said.
Friday, January 17th 2014 - 07:41 UTC
Vatican questioned by UN child rights watchdog on child sex abuse by priests

The Vatican was Thursday pushed for the first time to provide answers to the UN over its commitment to stamp out child sex abuse by priests. The landmark question-and-answer session before the UN's child rights watchdog in Geneva came as Pope Francis said Catholics should feel “shame”, in an apparent reference to the scandals that have rocked the Church.
Friday, January 17th 2014 - 07:34 UTC
Pope reshuffles the Vatican bank and sacks four cardinals from oversight commission

Pope Francis shook up the scandal-plagued Vatican bank, removing four of five cardinals from an oversight body in a break with the clerical financial establishment he inherited from his predecessor. It was his latest move to get to grips with an institution that has often been an embarrassment for the Holy See and which he has vowed to either reform or close.
Friday, January 17th 2014 - 07:29 UTC
US Congress supports budget peace for the rest of the fiscal year

Washington's battles over government funding ended with a whimper today as the US Senate approved a 1.1 trillion dollars spending bill that quells for nearly nine months the threat of another federal agency shutdown.
Friday, January 17th 2014 - 07:23 UTC
Taiwan grant to Santa Lucia for development and fisheries

Taiwan is providing an estimated 3.5 million dollars grant to St. Lucia in the Caribbean to fund three projects identified by the PM Kenny Anthony administration.
Friday, January 17th 2014 - 07:09 UTC
US Congress wants action on banks involved in the commodities business

United States lawmakers are pressing the Federal Reserve to act more forcefully, and quickly, to limit banks’ involvement in the commodities business, which has been blamed for inflating prices on everyday items like electricity and canned beverages.
Friday, January 17th 2014 - 07:00 UTC
Chile's main ports remain paralyzed amid clashes with police and suspended negotiations

Chile's main ports continued paralyzed as negotiations between striking workers and authorities are at an impasse and ugly skirmishes with police play out amid millions of cases of perishable export produce which are likely to spoil.