Stories for June 2015

Friday, June 5th 2015 - 03:28 UTC
FAO conference to recognize efforts in lowering hunger and elect Director General

Some 130 ministers, 12 heads of state or government, including presidents from Argentina and Chile, Cristina Fernandez and Michelle Bachelet, plus numerous other high-level government representatives will be converging on Rome this week for the 39th session of FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) governing Conference (6-13 June).
Thursday, June 4th 2015 - 09:06 UTC
“No one can teach us how to make the economy grow”, blasts Cristina Fernandez

In a speech broadcasted live on Argentine national television and radio, President Cristina Fernández used most of the time to praise her government’s achievements insisting no one “can give us lessons on how to make the economy grow” and highlighting the role of the State.
Thursday, June 4th 2015 - 09:01 UTC
Brazil's fiscal consolidation insufficient to deal with debt levels, says Moody's

Brazil's debt levels will continue to increase through 2016 and remain high despite the government's fiscal consolidation efforts, potentially weakening the sovereign's credit profile, says Moody's Investors Service.
Thursday, June 4th 2015 - 08:54 UTC
Despite a contracting economy Brazil increases basic interest rate to 13.75%

Brazil raised interest rates to the highest levels in more than six years on Wednesday, extending a tightening campaign and leaving the door open for more hikes despite concerns that steep borrowing costs could deepen an expected economic recession.
Thursday, June 4th 2015 - 08:45 UTC
IMF gives Argentina more time to remedy quality of official CPI and GDP data

The International Monetary Fund extended the period given to Argentina to remedy its local statistical measurement tools, while recognizing the country has made advancements in the matter. The IMF directive board met on Wednesday in Washington to assess Argentina's statistical indexes.
Thursday, June 4th 2015 - 08:30 UTC
Cristina Fernandez and her grouping lead comfortably ahead of elections

Argentine president Cristina Fernández will end her second term with an approval rating of 60%, according to the Equist political consultancy firm. On the other hand, PRO presidential candidate and Buenos Aires City Mayor Mauricio Macri enjoys a positive image among 30% of the country's population.
Thursday, June 4th 2015 - 08:17 UTC
Whistleblower Blazer admitted receiving bribes for hosts of 1998 and 2010 World Cups

Former FIFA executive committee member Chuck Blazer told a U.S. federal judge that he and others on the governing body's ruling panel agreed to receive bribes in the votes for the hosts of the 1998 and 2010 World Cups.
Wednesday, June 3rd 2015 - 09:24 UTC
Falklands advances despite Argentine disruption and blockade efforts, says Acting Governor Sandra Tyler-Haywood

Falkland Islands' Her Honour the Acting Governor delivered on Tuesday his State of the Nation speech to the elected Legislative Assembly underlining progress and expansion achieved in the economy and community development, the UK resolute in defending the rights and wishes of the Falkland Islanders to develop their own natural resources, and despite Argentine disruption and blockade efforts, first oil is expected to be produced in 2019.
Wednesday, June 3rd 2015 - 08:18 UTC
Falklands faces fiscal 2015/16 with surplus budget, all industries prospering and 1.4% inflation

The Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly received on Tuesday the Appropriation Bill which allows for expenditure of £61.4M pounds in the fiscal year 2015/16, supported by revenues of £56.9M and a projected £4.9M from oil and gas exploration, thus completing another surplus year.
Wednesday, June 3rd 2015 - 08:07 UTC
Obama signs bill that limits phone data collection by government

The US Senate has voted to limit the government's ability to collect phone data, a policy that had been in place since the attacks of 11 September 2001. The USA Freedom Act extends the government's ability to collect large amounts of data, but with restrictions.