Stories for December 2nd 2015

Wednesday, December 2nd 2015 - 12:38 UTC
Brazil's worst mining disaster will stress test 'king iron' Vale's resources

Brazil's deadly mining disaster could cost Vale SA at least US$443 million, but it is too early to put a price tag on what it expects to be a long clean-up from the pollution spilled when the toxic dam burst.
Wednesday, December 2nd 2015 - 12:21 UTC
Largest whale stranding, 337 Sei specimens, reported in extreme south Chile

A total of 337 sei whales have been found beached in the extreme south of Chile in what scientists state is one of the biggest whale stranding ever recorded. Biologist Vreni Häussermann made the discovery along with other scientists in June during an observation flight over fjords in Chile's southern Patagonia region.
Wednesday, December 2nd 2015 - 11:08 UTC
Macri to meet Rousseff Friday: trade, Mercosur and Venezuela in the agenda

Next Friday Argentine president elect Mauricio Macri will be travelling to Brasilia to meet with president Dilma Rousseff, which will be the incoming leader's first overseas trip.
Wednesday, December 2nd 2015 - 11:00 UTC
Brazilian executive order to further cut budget spending

Brazilian government said in an executive order published Monday in the Official Daily that it was cutting spending by an additional 11 billion reais ($2.82 billion) this year. The move is part of an effort by the government to a budget deficit target of 1 percent of the gross domestic product, a goal agreed to during the last budget review.
Wednesday, December 2nd 2015 - 10:45 UTC
Brazilian economy contracts a record 4.5% in the last twelve months

Brazil's economy, in recession since mid-year, contracted 1.7% in the third quarter, compared to the April-June period, and decreased 4.5% relative to the same period in 2014, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, or IBGE, said on Tuesday.
Wednesday, December 2nd 2015 - 09:52 UTC
Facebook's Zuckerberg will give away 99% of shares to good causes

Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan say they will give away 99% of their shares in the company to good causes as they announce the birth of their daughter Max. Zuckerberg made the announcement in a letter to Max on his Facebook page.
Wednesday, December 2nd 2015 - 09:28 UTC
China and Brazil agree on further cooperation and on climate change

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazil's Dilma Rousseff met in Paris on the sidelines of the ongoing climate talks, and agreed to strengthen cooperation in a number of areas including a common position regarding global warming.
Wednesday, December 2nd 2015 - 08:52 UTC
RBS and Standard Chartered, weakest in Bank of England stress test

Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Chartered were the weakest of Britain's seven largest lenders in a Bank of England stress test. For the second year, the central bank has subjected the UK's biggest lenders to tests to measure whether they would survive a financial shock.