Stories for May 2016

Monday, May 9th 2016 - 09:17 UTC
S&P raises Argentina's credit rating, but warns about the 40% inflation

Argentina’s credit rating was raised to B- from selective default by S&P Global Ratings, which cited the country’s payment last Thursday of $2.7 billion of past-due interest on bonds in default since July 2014.
Monday, May 9th 2016 - 09:04 UTC
Brazilian prosecutors after another can of worms: the huge development bank

A former Brazilian finance minister and the current head of the nation's state economic and social development bank allegedly pressured big construction firms into making campaign donations for President Dilma Rousseff, a newspaper reported on Sunday. If it proves correct it would be the first concrete lead linking the Petrobras corruption with BNDES, long suspected by Brazilian prosecution.
Monday, May 9th 2016 - 07:33 UTC
Massive protest in Comodoro Rivadavia against the oil industry weak activity

More than 50,000 workers blocked the centre of Comodoro Rivadavia, in Argentina's Patagonia main oil-producing region in a protest against layoffs. Striking oil workers were joined by teachers, truck drivers, builders and other sectors in the demonstration.
Monday, May 9th 2016 - 07:14 UTC
Jobs, layoffs and severance payment at the heart of Argentina's public debate

Unemployment and jobs are in the heart of public debate in Argentina. A public opinion poll released last week revealed that 48.3% of Argentines fear he/she or a relative might lose their jobs in the next six months.
Saturday, May 7th 2016 - 13:22 UTC
Venezuela accuses Washington and the opposition of plotting to overthrow Maduro

Venezuela's foreign minister accused the United States of conspiring to topple President Nicolás Maduro's government in conjunction with Venezuela's opposition. Minister Delcy Rodríguez says the plot includes attempting to remove Maduro's government from the Organization of American States in conjunction with the organization's secretary-general, Luis Almagro.
Saturday, May 7th 2016 - 08:29 UTC
Falklands' MPA infrastructure to be upgraded with a £55.7 million contract

A £55.7 million contract to upgrade infrastructure at MPA, in the Falkland Islands was signed this week between Southampton based Trant Engineering Ltd and the UK Defense Infrastructure Organization (DIO).
Saturday, May 7th 2016 - 08:25 UTC
UK's state of the art polar research ship to be named Sir David Attenborough

The United Kingdom's £200 million state-of-the-art polar research ship is to be named after world renowned naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, the Science Minister Jo Johnson confirmed on Friday. Following a call for suggestions that sparked global interest, Royal Research Ship Sir David Attenborough has been selected as a name that captures the ship’s scientific mission and celebrates the broadcaster’s contribution to natural science.
Saturday, May 7th 2016 - 08:13 UTC
London has its first Muslim mayor: ex human rights lawyer and son of a Pakistani bus driver

Sadiq Khan, the son of a bus driver, became London's first Muslim mayor on Saturday, despite a Conservative challenger who attempted to link him to extremism and securing a much-needed win for his opposition Labour Party. Khan's victory, which also makes him the first Muslim to head a major Western capital, was confirmed shortly after midnight following a day of mixed news for Labour in elections elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
Saturday, May 7th 2016 - 08:11 UTC
FIFA Ethics committee bans for life Chile and Colombia ex heads of their countries football associations

FIFA Ethics Committee has banned Sergio Jadue and Luis Bedoya for life from all football-related activities at both national and international levels. The decision was revealed in a statement released on May 6.
Saturday, May 7th 2016 - 06:20 UTC
Lord Price said UK and Argentina at the start of a new era of bilateral relations

British Trade and Investment Minister, Lord Price said that Argentina and the UK are at the beginning of a new era in bilateral relations and in an excellent position to turn common interests into concrete business interests. Lord Price together with a mission of UK top business leaders ended on Friday a two-day visit to Argentina, the first in ten years.