Stories for January 2016

Thursday, January 7th 2016 - 08:55 UTC
UK Labour split turns into open crevasse following Corbyn's 'revenge reshuffle'

British opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn tried to assert some authority over the Labour Party this week but his “revenge reshuffle” appeared only to worsen divisions between moderates and his leftist inner circle. Four months into the hard left veteran's tenure following his surprise leadership election win, Corbyn sacked two frontbench moderates for alleged disloyalty and demoted his defence spokeswoman with one commentator calling the situation inside the party “nuts”.
Thursday, January 7th 2016 - 08:46 UTC
World bank slashes 2016 global economy growth forecast; points to disappointing “China and Brazil”

World Bank slashed its growth forecast for the global economy in 2016, citing “disappointing” growth in major emerging market economies like China and Brazil. The bank has cut its previous June forecast for global economic expansion in 2016 by 0.4 percentage point to 2.9%, though that is still faster than 2015's sluggish 2.4%, which itself missed an earlier prediction.
Thursday, January 7th 2016 - 08:42 UTC
Fed minutes show concern with global economy and US low inflation persists

The United States Federal Reserve's decision to raise interest rates in December was a “close call”, according to minutes from the Fed's December meeting. Fed members voted unanimously to raise its key interest rate by 25 basis points to between 0.25% and 0.5%. a move widely expected.But some members were cautious, because of global concerns and low inflation.
Thursday, January 7th 2016 - 08:30 UTC
Spain calls for dialogue on Gibraltar and Falklands; UK reiterates support for self determination

The United Kingdom has reiterated that the sovereignty of Gibraltar is not a matter for discussion or negotiation with Spain. This follows a call by the Spanish Foreign Ministry for a resumption of bilateral dialogue with the UK over Gibraltar.
Thursday, January 7th 2016 - 08:17 UTC
Macri will become first Argentine president to attend Davos forum in twelve years

For the first time in twelve years and Argentine president will be attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland that runs between January 20-23. President Mauricio Macri will be present together with ally Sergio Massa, leader of dissident Peronist Renewall Front, in order to attract investment.
Thursday, January 7th 2016 - 08:08 UTC
Rousseff's unaccomplished promise of no recession or retrocession

On 2 February 2015, Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff sent the Executive message to Congress with her government's plan and promising she would not promote “recession or retrocession.” However eleven months later, Brazil is undergoing full recession and faces retrocession in several areas, having been downgraded by two credit risk agencies.
Thursday, January 7th 2016 - 07:43 UTC
Vazquez receives Macri: “good relations with Argentina, top priority for Uruguay”

Uruguayan president Tabare Vazquez will host on Thursday his Argentine peer Mauricio Macri to address several controversial issues from the bilateral agenda which are pending from the twelve years of the Kirchner couple. According to Uruguayan sources they include trade, River Plate channels and navigation, ports and pulp mills among other issues.
Wednesday, January 6th 2016 - 12:10 UTC
FIFA recommends nine-year ban from football for secretary general Valcke

FIFA investigators have recommended a nine-year ban from football for suspended secretary general Jerome Valcke for seven alleged ethics violations. Suspended in September over allegations linking him to a 2014 World Cup ticketing scam, Valcke’s provisional 90-day suspension expires on Tuesday.
Wednesday, January 6th 2016 - 12:02 UTC
Falkland Oil & Gas closer to completing merger with Rockhopper Exploration

Falkland Oil and Gas PLC late Tuesday took a step closer to completing the proposed all-share merger with fellow AIM-listed Rockhopper Exploration PLC after its shareholders voted in favour of the deal.
Wednesday, January 6th 2016 - 11:57 UTC
Spanish company plans to buy four new shrimp vessels to operate in Argentina

Spanish vertically integrated seafood company Iberica de Congelados (Iberconsa) will invest up to €27 million in its Argentine and Namibian operations, the company's CEO announced. Following its private equity Portobello Capital majority stake acquisition in Iberconsa, the seafood company will carry out a “strong investment plan” to boost Argentina shrimp output and to enhance Namibia's plant capabilities in value-added production.