Stories for February 2016

Tuesday, February 23rd 2016 - 05:52 UTC
Pound suffers the London Mayor Johnson effect as he supports Brexit

The pound hit its lowest level against the dollar in almost seven years on concerns about a possible UK exit from the European Union. At one stage the pound was down as much as 2.4% at $1.4058, its lowest level since March 2009, before later recovering.
Monday, February 22nd 2016 - 09:32 UTC
Rousseff is managing to survive despite ongoing dispute with Congress

President Dilma Rousseff's main coalition partner, the fractious Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PDMB), re-elected a key ally of hers as its leader in the lower house of Congress last week, enhancing her chances of blocking impeachment.
Monday, February 22nd 2016 - 09:14 UTC
Macri with The Washington Post “things are not going to change overnight.”

Argentine President Mauricio Macri spoke with The Washington Post’sOn support for Lilian Tintori, “Venezuela always cared for our human rights. So I am doing exactly what they have done in the past for us”.in his office in the Casa Rosada, Argentina’s White House, about the economy, Venezuela and alleged Iranian terrorists in Buenos Aires. Edited excerpts follow.
Monday, February 22nd 2016 - 09:03 UTC
Argentine government optimistic Congress will lift 'paddock bill' as requested by Judge Griesa

The administration of president Mauricio Macri is optimistic that Congress will lift the Padlock Law (Ley Cerrojo) clearing the way for Argentina’s long-standing dispute against so called speculative funds to be settled, Cabinet Chief Marcos Peña said.
Monday, February 22nd 2016 - 08:51 UTC
New rules in Argentina on handling protests and pickets becomes controversial

The Argentine chapter of Amnesty International (AI) joined the human rights groups that have criticized the new guidelines unveiled by President Mauricio Macri's Security Ministry to handle protests, saying that it was unconstitutional as it restricts key rights, including freedom of the press by limiting the role of journalists.
Monday, February 22nd 2016 - 08:43 UTC
Unemployment in Brazil reaches 9% in Sept-Nov rolling quarter

Unemployment in Brazil was 9% during the September-November rolling quarter, unchanged from the August-October period, the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics reported.
Monday, February 22nd 2016 - 08:35 UTC
Citibank selling consumer banking in South America's three largest economies

Citibank is planning to sell the consumer banking operations it has run for a century in Argentina, Brazil and Colombia as South America’s three biggest economies suffer a major downturn. The New York-based bank said in a statement that its decision was prompted by a desire to allocate resources where it can generate the best returns.
Monday, February 22nd 2016 - 08:28 UTC
Brazil heading for a record crop of 100 million tons of soybeans

As the soybean harvest gets under way in Brazil, analysts are having a clearer picture of whether the forecast record-setting crop will hit the century mark of 100 million tons despite hot and dry weather in Mato Grosso and northeastern Brazil as pods set and fill.
Monday, February 22nd 2016 - 07:57 UTC
UK campaign for the EU in/out referendum takes off; London mayor Johnson challenges PM Cameron

British Prime Minister David Cameron will face MPs later as he presents his case for the UK remaining within a reformed European Union. The PM will outline details of last week's deal with EU leaders, which paved the way for him to call a referendum on EU membership on 23 June.
Monday, February 22nd 2016 - 07:45 UTC
Polls suggest Morales narrowly lost the re-re-reelection referendum; Bolivia opposition celebrations

President Evo Morales of Bolivia has narrowly lost a referendum to allow him to stand for a fourth term in office, exit polls suggest. One poll suggests 52.3% voted against the proposal to amend the constitution, while another suggests it was 51%. However, Morales's deputy has predicted Bolivia's first head of state of indigenous origin could still win, as official results trickle in.