Stories for December 19th 2015

Saturday, December 19th 2015 - 06:39 UTC
Rousseff picks Barbosa as finance minister, a strong critic of Levy and austerity

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff on Friday picked her close aide Nelson Barbosa, a left-leaning economist, to take over the finance ministry from Joaquim Levy who is leaving after a series of disagreements over economic policy.
Saturday, December 19th 2015 - 06:18 UTC
Argentina's foreign exchange market slowly adapting to new rules with no major surprises

The US dollar in Argentina's foreign exchange market plunged on Friday 35 cents to 13.60 Pesos on the second day since President Mauricio Macri's administration decided to put an end to official restrictions for the purchase of greenbacks and other dealings with foreign currency.
Saturday, December 19th 2015 - 06:01 UTC
Resolution 2065 on Falklands: United Nations 'royally deceived' 50 years ago

The United Nations was “royally deceived”, said Falkland Islands Member of Legislative Assembly Mike Summers in response to Argentina celebrating the 50th anniversary of a UN resolution that recognised the existence of a sovereignty dispute over the Falklands.
Saturday, December 19th 2015 - 05:37 UTC
WTO statement in support of reducing fishing subsidies

World Trade Organization members, including Argentina and Uruguay, have agreed on the need to reduce fishing subsidies so as to contribute to the conservation of fishing resources worldwide. This decision was taken because WTO is convinced that fisheries subsidies contribute to economic losses in the fisheries sector, leaving serious impact on food security and livelihoods, particularly in developing countries, Star Business Report reported.
Saturday, December 19th 2015 - 04:41 UTC
China's demand for infant milk makes NZ company shares surge 140% in one year

Shares in New Zealand dairy firm - The a2 Milk Company (A2) - were up more than 30% in Sydney on Friday after the firm raised its full-year earnings forecast on demand for its infant formula in China and Australia. It is the second time since November the company has raised its guidance.A2 said group revenue could reach US$ 212 million for the period, up from US$180.
Saturday, December 19th 2015 - 04:11 UTC
United States lifts 40-year ban on exports of crude oil

The United States has approved a measure to lift the 40-year ban on crude oil exports. The move is part of a US$1.1 trillion spending bill approved by the Senate on Friday that will fund the US government until 2016.
Saturday, December 19th 2015 - 02:43 UTC
Rajoy rejects the idea of a grand coalition, German style, after Sunday's vote

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Friday rejected any idea of his ruling Popular Party (PP) trying to form a grand coalition with the main opposition Socialist Party (PSOE) after Sunday's general election, in a bid to stop emerging political forces Podemos and Ciudadanos from entering government.
Saturday, December 19th 2015 - 02:40 UTC
Close friend of Lula da Silva formally charged in the Petrobras corruption case

The sprawling Petrobras corruption scandal web is again close to former president Lula da Silva, this landowner Jose Carlos Bumlai, arrested during Operation Lava Jato, was charged with corruption, money laundering and fraud.