Stories for January 29th 2014

Wednesday, January 29th 2014 - 22:38 UTC
Brazil can't be hostage of Argentina or Venezuela in Mercosur/EU trade negotiations

The Brazilian government is determined to advance with negotiations for a trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union even if it means leaving Argentina for a second phase of the process, according to sources from Itamaraty, the country's foreign ministry, reported in the Rio do Janeiro media.
Wednesday, January 29th 2014 - 21:36 UTC
Hedge fund boss Singer rejects as 'bizarre' Argentine bondholders offer

Paul Singer, head of Elliot Management Corp., defined as “bizarre”, the bondholders’ offer to resolve judicially the dispute with Argentina over the debt in default from 2001, during in a letter sent to investors and published by Bloomberg News.
Wednesday, January 29th 2014 - 21:20 UTC
Obama pledges support for the middle class and is prepared to bypass Congress

US President Barack Obama displayed his strategy for getting around a divided Congress starting with a wage hike for federal contract workers in a State of the Union speech on Tuesday that reflected scaled-back legislative ambitions after a tough year.
Wednesday, January 29th 2014 - 21:07 UTC
Fed shaves another 10bn from stimulus; Turkey and South Africa raise rates

The US Federal Reserve announced a $10bn reduction in its monthly bond purchases from 75bn to 65bn in the second straight month of winding down stimulus efforts. The central bank had been buying bonds in an effort to keep interest rates low and stimulate growth.
Wednesday, January 29th 2014 - 21:00 UTC
New York Times blasts Cristina Fernández: “Argentina on the brink”

The New York Times published on Wednesday a very strong editorial criticizing the misguided policies of the government of President Cristina Fernandez, arguing that once again 'Argentina is on the brink”.
Wednesday, January 29th 2014 - 20:37 UTC
Ecuador readies witch hunt against certain journalists, claims NGO Fundamedios

Ecuadorean non-governmental organization Fundamedios claimed that President Rafael Correa is trying to stop it from operating normally after the government announced that the “administrative control” of the NGO would be transferred to the national Communications Secretariat.
Wednesday, January 29th 2014 - 20:31 UTC
Lagarde admits volatility in global markets as strong economies tighten monetary policy

Monetary policy tightening in advanced economies will cause volatility in international markets this year and impact the monetary situation of some emerging economies, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde cautioned on Wednesday.
Wednesday, January 29th 2014 - 06:51 UTC
Argentine foreign money market operating at 8.015 Pesos to the US dollar

For second day running the Argentine foreign money market reacted with normality with the official rate of the US dollar closing at 8.015 Pesos, while the so called 'reference dollar' for savings traded at 9.62 Pesos and the 'blue' or parallel climbed 35 cents to 12.50 Pesos.
Wednesday, January 29th 2014 - 06:46 UTC
Noravirus hits 'Explorer of the Seas' in the Caribbean; 10-day trip cancelled

The Royal Caribbean cruise 'Explorer of the Seas” has ended the 10-day trip in the Caribbean early after hundreds of passengers and crew members were sickened with a gastrointestinal illness. It is believed the incident is a new case of the noravirus which has been attacking large cruise vessels.
Wednesday, January 29th 2014 - 06:40 UTC
Nicaragua's Ortega joins the club of Latam leaders addicted to remaining in office

Nicaragua's national assembly voted to scrap presidential term limits, which could allow current head of state Daniel Ortega to run again for election at the end of his current mandate.