Stories for November 3rd 2015

Tuesday, November 3rd 2015 - 18:16 UTC
US manufacturing slows down in October but construction booming: up 17.2%

US manufacturing grew at its slowest pace in two years in October, according to data released by Institute for Supply Management (ISM). This is the fourth consecutive month of declines in factory activity, with growth at its slowest pace since May 2013.
Tuesday, November 3rd 2015 - 12:38 UTC
Chinese manufacturing contracts for third month running

Chinese manufacturing has contracted for the third month in a row, according to the government's latest factory survey. The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) showed a reading of 49.8 for October, unchanged from last month. A figure below 50 indicates that factory activity contracted.
Tuesday, November 3rd 2015 - 10:03 UTC
HSBC profits up following massive cut of jobs and sale of assets

Lower costs from regulatory fines have contributed to higher profits for HSBC. Pre-tax profit at Europe's biggest lender jumped 32% from a year ago in the third quarter, beating analysts' expectations. Profit reached $6.1bn, up from $4.6bn in the same period a year earlier and above forecasts of $5.2bn.
Tuesday, November 3rd 2015 - 09:58 UTC
Brazil oil workers stage national strike and stopped operations at 22 rigs

Oil workers staging a national strike in Brazil said on Monday they had stopped all operations at 22 of state-controlled oil giant Petrobras's 44 rigs in the Campos basin, an offshore area that accounts for about 80% of the country's oil output. Oil workers declared a strike on Sunday.
Tuesday, November 3rd 2015 - 07:05 UTC
Australia eliminates knights and dames under the country's honours system

Australia will no longer appoint knights and dames under its honours system, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced, arguing that the titles were “not appropriate” in modern Australia, and that Queen Elizabeth had accepted the cabinet's recommendation to drop them.
Tuesday, November 3rd 2015 - 06:42 UTC
Petrobras import of US condensate help address refining shortage, but faces tax controversy in Brazil

Petrobras’ move to start buying processed U.S. condensate will help output at its domestic refining network, but the purchases have exposed a wrinkle in Brazilian law that could allow the state-run company to import the light oil duty-free, tax lawyers and traders said. Typically, condensate is considered a very light form of crude found in oil or natural gas wells and in raw form is not taxable in Brazil.
Tuesday, November 3rd 2015 - 06:29 UTC
Brazil and EU agree on biosecurity measures for horse sports in RIO 2016 Games

Brazil and the European Union have reportedly settled biosecurity-related arrangements that will allow the passage of sport horses in and out of Rio de Janeiro for next year’s Olympics. However, details of any deal have yet to be posted on website of the Olympic Public Authority in Brazil, or the main Games website, Rio2016.com. Details of the deal are expected to be released this week.
Tuesday, November 3rd 2015 - 06:20 UTC
Falklands sports clubs receive significant donation from Argos Ltd

Three Falkland Islands sports clubs benefitted from the generosity of local business Argos Ltd with a donation of £25,000 via the Overseas Games Association (FIOGA).
Tuesday, November 3rd 2015 - 06:10 UTC
Baroness Anelay marks Day to end impunity for crimes against journalists

Minister of State of the Foreign Office, Baroness Anelay marks International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists and remembers the threat facing journalists. “A free media plays a vital role in a functioning democracy” said the Baroness in her message.
Tuesday, November 3rd 2015 - 05:38 UTC
Macri accuses the Argentine government of a fear-mongering campaign

Argentine opposition candidate Mauricio Macri accused the ruling party of fear mongering after a weekend barrage of online attack ads warned he would throw people off welfare and reduce living standards by devaluing the currency. The same kind of spots were reiterated during the final match of the Argentine football league.