Stories for 2015

Thursday, November 5th 2015 - 05:51 UTC
Argentine farmers hold on to their crops waiting for electoral promises, but 'dry' central bank reserves

Argentina's election season has dramatically changed the agricultural landscape in the country, one of the world's breadbaskets. Exporters are now more confident than ever that profits will soar next year, creating a short term impact of plunging sales abroad and reduced cash-flow in the Argentine Central Bank’s coffers, although that could change in 2016.
Thursday, November 5th 2015 - 05:38 UTC
Putin, Merkel and Obama, in that order, the world's three most powerful people, according to Forbes

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (No. 1) takes the top spot out of 73 on Forbes’ seventh annual ranking of “The World’s Most Powerful People” for the third year in a row. German Chancellor Angela Merkel (No. 2) moved up 3 spots from last year, while President Barack Obama (No. 3) dropped 1 spot, making it the first year a sitting U.S. President has not made it into the top 2 spots.
Wednesday, November 4th 2015 - 23:02 UTC
Brazil's industrial output falls for a fourth straight month in September; 10.9% in twelve months

Brazil's industrial output fell for a fourth straight month in September as automakers, metal producers and other manufacturers were hit by a worsening recession, government data showed on Wednesday. This follows the Brazilian central bank's announcement on Tuesday that the economy in 2015 would shrink over 3% with inflation almost at 10%.
Wednesday, November 4th 2015 - 08:18 UTC
Mercosur summit on 21 December; Uruguay takes the helm for next six months

Mercosur heads of state next summit is scheduled for 21 December in Asunción, Paraguay, the country currently holding the group's chair. At the meeting the six-month rotating chair will be handed to Uruguay for the first half of 2016.
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.