Stories for November 2015

Wednesday, November 4th 2015 - 08:07 UTC
Brazilian construction tycoon sentenced to 19 years in prison for Petrobras corruption scandal

The federal judge handling the Petrobras corruption cases sentenced the former vice president of Brazilian engineering firm Mendes Junior to 19 years and four months in prison for his role in the massive kickback scheme.
Wednesday, November 4th 2015 - 07:55 UTC
Moody's bets are on Macri: upgrades Argentina's debt rating to 'stable' from 'negative'

Following the first round of presidential elections in Argentina on Oct. 25, which the ruling party won by a lower-than-expected margin, credit rating agency Moody's Investors Service upgraded on Monday the country's debt rating to “stable” from “negative.”
Wednesday, November 4th 2015 - 07:41 UTC
Argentina defaulted bonds dispute pushed into the US Republicans' presidential campaign

One of the wealthiest and most influential Republican donors — who also happens to be in the midst of a legal battle with Argentina over defaulted-debt — is throwing his support behind the presidential campaign of US Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, according to a New York Times report.
Wednesday, November 4th 2015 - 07:18 UTC
Australia announces construction of new icebreaker and more funds for Antarctic research

The Australian government has provided the first look at Australia's new icebreaker, a ship it says will offer scientists unprecedented and extended access to the Southern Ocean and Antarctica.
Wednesday, November 4th 2015 - 06:45 UTC
Falklands lawmaker meets Red Cross chief to discuss identification of Argentine soldiers remains

The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, met on Monday with representatives of the authorities of the United Kingdom and of the Falkland Islands to discuss a process seeking to identify the remains of a number of unidentified Argentine soldiers buried at Darwin cemetery in Falklands/Malvinas Islands.
Wednesday, November 4th 2015 - 06:24 UTC
Cristina Fernández reinstates benefits for exports shipped from Patagonia ports

The outgoing government of president Cristina Fernandez reinstated benefits for all exports that are handled through Patagonian ports. Decree 2229/15 published in the Federal Gazette establishes the extent and percentage of benefits, for the next five years, as long as they are shipped from ports and customs to the south of the Colorado River.
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.