Stories for February 2015

Friday, February 27th 2015 - 08:22 UTC
Brazilian hard line unions win conflict and beat moderates in elections

Workers at a General Motors Co car factory in Brazil ended a six-day strike on Thursday after the company dropped plans to lay off 800 employees, the union said, ending the latest labor standoff in the troubled Brazilian auto industry.
Friday, February 27th 2015 - 08:14 UTC
Striking Brazilian truckers will be fined for roadblocks, warns government

The Brazilian government will start fining truckers as a strike in its ninth day threatens Latin America’s largest economy with food and fuel shortages. According to a report from Folha de Sao Paulo, the police will fine drivers who block highways as much as 10,000 Reais (3,470 dollars) per hour, Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardozo told reporters in Brasilia.
Friday, February 27th 2015 - 08:06 UTC
In landmark decision US approves tough Internet neutrality regulations

In a landmark decision for the future of the Internet, the United States Federal Communications Commission on Thursday approved tough net neutrality regulations to oversee online traffic. The new rules prohibit Internet service providers from discriminating against legal content flowing through their wired or wireless networks, such as by charging websites for faster delivery of video and other data to consumers.
Friday, February 27th 2015 - 05:46 UTC
Argentine Congress approves 'strategic integral alliance' agreements with China

Despite the strong questioning from the opposition, the manufacturers' lobby and many unions, the Argentine ruling coalition mustered sufficient votes in the Lower House to pass the controversial package of cooperation, economic and investment agreements between Argentina and China.
Friday, February 27th 2015 - 05:29 UTC
Falklands oil rig arrives and readies to begin six-well drilling campaign

The semi-submersible oil rig oil rig Eirik Raude entered Falkland Islands waters to the north this week and has already been served by supply vessels and undergone a crew change operation. The Eirik Raude will shortly begin a six-well drilling campaign operated by Premier Oil and Noble Energy.
Thursday, February 26th 2015 - 23:21 UTC
Gibraltar's vital role for the US Navy's operations is underlined

Gibraltar plays a ‘vital’ role for the US Navy’s submarine operations at a time of increased Russian naval activity, a US think tank said. The Heritage Foundation made the statement in its Index of US Military Strength 2015, a wide-ranging annual research project that assesses the ability of the United States Armed Forces.
Thursday, February 26th 2015 - 22:26 UTC
Anibal Fernandez calls Uruguayan former president Batlle a 'gorilla'

Argentina's Secretary General to the Presidency Anibal Fernández hit back to ex president of Uruguay Jorge Batlle who on Wednesday said Argentina’s Cristina Fernandez “hopes to be sacked from the government.”
Thursday, February 26th 2015 - 22:15 UTC
Argentine cabinet reshuffle: Anibal Fernandez becomes chief of staff

Argentina named the president's chief of staff, Anibal Fernandez, as the new Cabinet chief on Thursday in a reshuffle that comes as the government faces a political crisis. Fernandez, a close political ally of President Cristina Fernandez, who is no relation, will replace Jorge Capitanich, the presidency said.
Thursday, February 26th 2015 - 21:52 UTC
Judge dismisses case against Cristina Fernandez for alleged Iran cover up

Argentine federal judge Daniel Rafecas on Thursday dismissed the case against President Cristina Fernandez, in which it was claimed she, together with other officials conspired to spare Iranian officials from prosecution over the 1994 bombing of a Jewish center in Buenos Aires.
Thursday, February 26th 2015 - 17:30 UTC
Is oil returning to 100 dollars or dropping to 10?

If you have been following the price of oil over the last few months, the chances are you're a little confused. On the one hand you have the likes of A. Gary Shilling who, in this Bloomberg article, loudly trumpets the prospect of oil at $10/Barrel, and on the other there is T. Boone Pickens, who, at the end of last year was predicting a return to $100 within 12-18 months.