Stories for March 2014

Tuesday, March 25th 2014 - 08:51 UTC
S&P downgrades Brazil’s sovereign debt rating to BBB minus

Standard & Poor's cut Brazil's sovereign debt rating closer to speculative territory in a blow to President Dilma Rousseff administration. Brazil had its long-term debt rating downgraded to BBB minus, the agency's lowest investment-grade rating. S&P changed its outlook to stable from negative, meaning further downgrades are unlikely for now, which will come as a relief for both politicians in Brasilia and financial markets.The move was widely expected but the timing surprised some investors.
Monday, March 24th 2014 - 07:03 UTC
Chilean police cuts short mass protest that turned violent

A mass protest was cut short in Santiago, Chile, after police dispersed activists with tear gas and water cannon. According to protest organizers over 150,000 people had gathered in the city center to urge newly-elected President Michelle Bachelet to push ahead with her reform program.
Monday, March 24th 2014 - 07:00 UTC
Venezuela's state prosecutor says security forces have 'committed excesses'

Venezuela's top state prosecutor has affirmed that security forces had committed “excesses” in breaking up nearly two months of opposition protests against the government of President Nicolas Maduro that have left at least 34 dead
Monday, March 24th 2014 - 06:55 UTC
Brazil, France and Mexico to file papers before the US Supreme Court in support of Argentina

Brazil, France and Mexico are expected to file papers in the US Supreme Court on Monday backing Argentina in its legal battle with bondholders who refused to take part in debt restructurings from the country's 2002 default, according to a source familiar with the litigation.
Monday, March 24th 2014 - 06:52 UTC
Spain mourns the loss of the man who played a key role in the transition to democracy

Former Prime Minister Adolfo Suarez, who played a key role in Spain's transition to democracy, died in Madrid on Sunday. He was 81. The former premier was hospitalized last Monday with respiratory problems related to Alzheimer's, his family said.
Monday, March 24th 2014 - 06:47 UTC
EU/Mercosur still in the cold but committed to reach an agreement in coming months

The European Union and Mercosur held last Friday in Brussels the technical meeting, as was scheduled to assess the state of negotiations for a long delayed and ambitious association and trade agreement, but concluded with no calendar for the exchange of tariff reduction proposals, which is central to the discussions.
Sunday, March 23rd 2014 - 09:43 UTC
Federal troops to Rio do Janeiro to try and contain attacks against the police

The government in Brazil says it will send federal troops to Rio de Janeiro to help deal with a spate of violent attacks targeting the city's police. The decision came after the governor of Rio de Janeiro state, Sergio Cabral, asked President Dilma Rousseff for government support ahead of the football World Cup in June.
Sunday, March 23rd 2014 - 08:54 UTC
Falklands included in Norwegian and Windstar cruises, announces Sulivan

The Norwegian Cruise Line operating in South America will be returning to the Falkland Islands for the 2015/16 season after a four year absence, announced Sulivan Shipping Service Ltd. Coordinator Sammy Marsh, who together with the Falklands Tourist Board Manager Tony Mason attended the latest edition of the Cruise Shipping Miami conference.
Saturday, March 22nd 2014 - 12:42 UTC
Falklands' operational campaign to be informed by US oil industry leader

The highest paid woman on a list of 500 Houston oil executives (2009) will be in the Falkland Islands next week with Noble Energy. She is scheduled to hold meetings with the local business community and members of the public for an operational update on Noble's Falklands' campaign.
Saturday, March 22nd 2014 - 12:12 UTC
Putin formalizes Russia's takeover of Crimea despite US and EU sanctions

With a display of fireworks in Moscow and Crimea, President Vladimir Putin has signed a law formalizing Russia's takeover of Crimea from Ukraine, despite fresh sanctions from the EU and the US. The European Union's latest measures target twelve people involved in Russia's annexation of the peninsula.