Stories for 13th 2015

Wednesday, November 18th 2015 - 08:05 UTC
Statoil follows Shell and drops search for oil in the US Arctic

Norway's Statoil has decided to quit its Alaskan exploration efforts in the Chukchi Sea, following a recent move by Shell to drop its search for oil in the US Arctic after a key drilling target came back dry.
Wednesday, November 18th 2015 - 07:53 UTC
Tierra del Fuego ozone alert with 'UV radiation reaching extreme risk or harm'

Tierra del Fuego in south Argentina has sent out a warning to residents in the province that the ozone layer hole as it expands to the north, over the tip of South America continent this week, it will be reaching its maximum size with UV radiation at 12, violet or extreme alert. The information was provided by Argentina's VAG Ushuaia Station.
Wednesday, November 18th 2015 - 07:36 UTC
Brazil ready to sign an EU/Mercosur wide ranging trade agreement

Paraguay's foreign minister Eladio Loizaga is in Brussels holding a round of talks with different European Union officials regarding the trade and cooperation agreement with Mercosur, while in Brazil Industry and foreign trade minister Armando Monteiro announced that Mercosur was finally ready to advance with a wide range proposal.
Wednesday, November 18th 2015 - 07:24 UTC
Setback for president Cartes: center-left coalition takes control of Paraguay's capital Asunción

Paraguay’s ruling conservative party lost the mayor’s office in the capital Asunción on Sunday in a surprise midterm setback for President Horacio Cartes. Popular TV presenter Mario Ferreiro defeated incumbent Arnaldo Samaniego of the president’s Colorado party, 50.99% to 40.56%, according to official results with all ballots counted.
Wednesday, November 18th 2015 - 07:14 UTC
France and Russia agree on an unusual alliance against the Islamic State

France and Russia agreed to coordinate their military and security services in an unusual alliance against Islamic State jihadists in Syria on Tuesday after a devastating attack on Paris and the bombing of a Russian plane.
Tuesday, November 17th 2015 - 09:32 UTC
Presidential debate with no clear winner which favors Macri, unless there's a 'black swan'

Argentine political analyst Graciela Römer.said there was no clear winner at Sunday's presidential debate between incumbent Daniel Scioli and opposition candidate Mauricio Macri, which nevertheless broke television audience ratings, similar to those of last year's World Cup final between Argentina and Germany.
Tuesday, November 17th 2015 - 09:19 UTC
Rousseff again confirms Levy as (austerity) minister despite complaints from the ruling party

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff jumped to the defense of her embattled finance minister saying she would not be pressured into sacking him. Rousseff, fighting to save her second term presidency from threatened impeachment proceedings, said she was ignoring suggestions by the head of her own Workers' Party (PT) that Joaquim Levy should be dismissed.
Tuesday, November 17th 2015 - 09:07 UTC
Marriott agrees to buy Starwood, making it the largest hotel chain in the world

Marriott International has agreed to buy Starwood Hotels and Resorts in a $12.2 billion deal that will make it the largest hotel chain in the world. The boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved a merger agreement, Marriott announced this morning. The combined companies will operate or franchise more than 5,500 hotels with 1.1 million rooms worldwide. About 35% of the properties are outside the USA.
Tuesday, November 17th 2015 - 08:54 UTC
Two Chinese nuclear plants for Argentina in a 15bn dollars deal

Argentina signed two nuclear power plant construction deals with China on Sunday worth around US$15 billion, which would add 1,750 megawatts to the energy already produced by the country's three nuclear power plants.
Tuesday, November 17th 2015 - 08:37 UTC
Venezuela claims Maduro's nephews held in the US on cocaine smuggling charges were 'kidnapped'

Two men said to be relatives of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro who are being held in the United States on cocaine smuggling charges were “kidnapped,” a senior member of the ruling Socialist Party said on Monday.