Stories for July 2014

Wednesday, July 2nd 2014 - 00:13 UTC
Data confirms Argentina's economy has slid into recession

Argentina’s economic activity index (EMAE), which is seen as a close proxy of GDP, fell 0.5% in April compared with the same month last year, according to data released by the government's stats office Indec. Nonetheless activity went up 0.6% in April compared to March.
Tuesday, July 1st 2014 - 23:57 UTC
Argentina's Paris Club and Repsol debt deals possible accord path, hint holdout funds

One of the holdout hedge funds involved in the lawsuit against the Argentine government over pending debt from the 2001 bonds default, pointed out on Tuesday that the agreements struck by Argentina with Spanish oil and conglomerate Repsol and the Paris Club are good examples for the basis of an eventual understanding.
Tuesday, July 1st 2014 - 23:48 UTC
UK Europe minister Lidington toured Gibraltar/Spain border with Picardo

Britain’s Europe Minister David Lidington toured the Gibraltar border on Monday evening and received an on-the-spot briefing from Chief Minister Fabian Picardo on the human impact of Spanish controls.
Tuesday, July 1st 2014 - 23:16 UTC
Could gang violence end Mexico's shale dream?

Violence in Mexico could thwart hopes of a budding shale boom, as oil and gas companies operating in Texas may think twice about moving south of the border.
Mexico holds an estimated 545 trillion cubic feet of technically recoverable shale gas and 13 billion barrels of shale oil, but progress in developing those resources has been slow.
Tuesday, July 1st 2014 - 14:59 UTC
Holdout hedge funds claim Argentina never turned up to negotiate a settlement

Holdout investors involved in litigation with Argentina over sovereign debt said on Monday they have not met with the government to negotiate a settlement on defaulted debt, and accused Buenos Aires of refusing to enter talks as a 30-day countdown to default begins.
Tuesday, July 1st 2014 - 10:16 UTC
Mercosur waking up to the significance and impact of the Pacific Alliance

Mercosur leaders called for dialogue with the Pacific Alliance over its perception that Mercosur is becoming an obstacle to integration and wider growth in the region. Uruguayan Vice-President Danilo Astori seemingly sparked the debate a few weeks ago when he said that “Mercosur mustn’t be a terminal station,” calling for formal trade deals with the Pacific Alliance.
Tuesday, July 1st 2014 - 08:22 UTC
Floating plastic junk widely spread on world oceans but doubts about how much

Plastic junk is floating widely on the world’s oceans, but there’s less of it than expected, a study says. Such ocean pollution has drawn attention in recent years because of its potential harm to fish and other wildlife.
Tuesday, July 1st 2014 - 08:16 UTC
Obama and 'second favorite Michelle' exchange praise at the White House

President Barack Obama and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet pledged to work together to strengthen the ties between both nations, including projects on energy, education and free trade. Obama met in the Oval Office on Monday with Bachelet, whom he called his second favorite Michelle.
Tuesday, July 1st 2014 - 08:08 UTC
Carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth to be 'christened' with whisky in Scotland

The naming of HMS Queen Elizabeth, which takes place this Friday at Rosyth, Scotland is a unique occasion of historical significance as it marks the beginning of a new era of UK carrier operations.
Tuesday, July 1st 2014 - 07:50 UTC
Uruguay received 237 cruise calls in 2013/14 with 409.367 visitors

During the 2013/14 season, 237 cruise vessels called in Uruguay's two main ports, Montevideo and Punta del Este, with 409.367 visitors, a 6,3% increase in calls over the previous season, according to a report released by the country's presidential web-site.