Stories for February 9th 2017

Thursday, February 9th 2017 - 20:41 UTC
Uruguay's budget deficit 4% of GDP in 2016, worst performance since 1989

Uruguay's budget deficit reached 4% of GDP during 2016, equivalent to US$ 2.043bn, the worst performance since 1989, according to the latest figures released by the government's stats office, INE. The previous year, 2015 ended with a budget deficit of 3.6% of GDP, which also set a record only comparable to 2002 (3.7%), when Uruguay underwent one of its most challenging financial meltdowns in decades.
Thursday, February 9th 2017 - 15:45 UTC
Cereal prices continue to rise despite improved supplies, says FAO

The FAO Food Price Index averaged 173.8 in January, its highest value in almost two years, marking a 2.1% increase from its revised December value and 16.4% above its 2016 January level. The FAO Sugar Price Index surged 9.9% in the month, driven by expectations of protracted supply tightness in Brazil, India and Thailand.
Thursday, February 9th 2017 - 11:54 UTC
Attacks on judiciary “demoralizing” says Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court

Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee has said he found the president’s attacks on the judiciary “disheartening” and “demoralizing,” according to a Democratic senator. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut disclosed the comments from Judge Neil Gorsuch after meeting with the nominee on Wednesday, as the candidate for the high court vacancy paid a series of courtesy visits to senators.
Thursday, February 9th 2017 - 11:47 UTC
New outbreak of toxic algae in south Chile kills causes massive death of smolt

An estimated 149,000 salmon that were being transported to a site of Nova Austral located in the Magallanes Region of Chile, to be stocked, presumably died because of a toxic microalga.The company's general manager, Nicos Nicolaides, said that the death of 105,000 fish of 210 grams that were transported by the ship Don Pedro and another 44,000 fish of 420 grams carried by the ship Maria Ines, occurred near Gulf Penas.
Thursday, February 9th 2017 - 11:36 UTC
Brazilian inflation drops for the fifth straight month

Consumer prices rose less than expected in Brazil in January for the fifth straight month, increasing the chances of steeper interest rate cuts and a stronger economic recovery as the inflation rate falls toward the government's long-missed target.
Thursday, February 9th 2017 - 11:30 UTC
Same judicial medicine for a Temer nominee to ministry level position

A Brazilian federal judge suspended the nomination of a close ally of President Michel Temer to a ministry-level position, according to the court's website on Wednesday.
Thursday, February 9th 2017 - 10:32 UTC
Falklands announces new round of demining demolitions

Project Manager for Dynasafe BACTEC Limited, Julius Unsung has notified that the next demolitions as part of the Falklands Demining project are planned for Thursday 9th February 2017 between 10am – 3pm.
Thursday, February 9th 2017 - 09:30 UTC
Senate approves Trump's Attorney General; KKK praises Alabama's Jeff Sessions

The US Senate has confirmed President Donald Trump's nomination for attorney general, Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, by a vote of 52 to 47. The confirmation follows a series of divisive hearings during which Democrats attacked Mr Sessions' record on civil rights. The Alabama senator's nomination was among Mr Trump's most controversial.
Thursday, February 9th 2017 - 07:28 UTC
Brexit bill unchanged moves to House of Lords; Scots reprimanded for singing the EU national anthem

Members of Parliament have overwhelmingly agreed to let the government begin the UK's departure from the EU as they voted for the Brexit bill. The draft legislation was approved by 494 votes to 122, and now moves to the House of Lords.
Thursday, February 9th 2017 - 07:16 UTC
Macri to launch “Patagonia Project” for southern Argentina provinces

Argentine president Mauricio Macri is scheduled to launch on Thursday the much expected “Patagonia Project”, a massive ambitious development program for the southern provinces similar to the “Belgrano Plan” which was recently launched for the northern provinces.