Stories for March 6th 2017

Monday, March 6th 2017 - 18:45 UTC
Fillon and Juppe confirm deep division among French conservatives

Former presidential candidate Alain Juppe said on Monday he would not run again despite calls within the conservative Les Republicains party for him to replace the increasingly isolated Francois Fillon, who faces defeat over a phony jobs scandal.
Monday, March 6th 2017 - 18:34 UTC
Challenging path for Ulster ruling alliance, following election results

The pro-British Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) managed to remain the biggest party with a single seat margin in the Northern Ireland Assembly as the Irish nationalist Sinn Fein closed in on them following March 2 election, according to the latest results announced over the weekend.
Monday, March 6th 2017 - 17:53 UTC
General Motors abandons Europe: sells Opel and Vauxhall to Peugeot

United States General Motors is dropping its unprofitable European car business to the French maker of Peugeot, marking the American company's retreat from a major market and raising concerns of job cuts in the region.
Monday, March 6th 2017 - 17:41 UTC
The Economist Argentina summit: Reemerging on the global stage

The Economist’s Argentina Summit taking place in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, 8th March, will bring together more than 200 government and business leaders to evaluate Argentina's progress over the last year and to discuss the country's social, political and economic future in the year ahead.
Monday, March 6th 2017 - 17:25 UTC
Kirchner family in court: Florencia, Maximo and Cristina charged with corruption and money laundering

The two children of Argentine ex president Cristina Fernandez, Florencia and Maximo Kirchner, showed up in court on Monday morning to be questioned on a case involving a family company which owns several hotels and allegedly has been involved in money laundering and unlawful association among other crimes.
Monday, March 6th 2017 - 10:53 UTC
UK's Signy Station on South Orkney Islands, hottest place in Antarctica

A World Meteorological Organization (WMO) committee of experts announced on March first, new records for the highest temperatures recorded in the Antarctic Region. The results are part of continuing efforts to expand a database of extreme weather and climate conditions throughout the world.
Monday, March 6th 2017 - 10:47 UTC
China lowers growth target to 6.5% and pledges to tackle “zombie enterprises”

The Chinese growth target for this year has been cut to around 6.5%, down from 6.5 to 7% last year, Premier Li Keqiang has announced addressing the country's rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), which has gathered in Beijing for its annual session. The Chinese economy expanded at its slowest pace in 26 years in 2016.
Monday, March 6th 2017 - 10:37 UTC
Fed says rate hike in March would be “appropriate” if US economy evolves as expected

Federal Reserve chair Janet L. Yellen said a March rate hike would be “appropriate” if the economy continues to evolve as expected, signaling that the central bank will likely raise its benchmark interest rate sooner than many economists and investors had expected just a few weeks ago.
Monday, March 6th 2017 - 08:52 UTC
Russia displaces Saudi Arabia as world's largest supplier of crude oil

Russia has taken over from Saudi Arabia as the world’s largest supplier of crude oil, according to the Riyadh based Joint Organizations' Data Initiative. Russia pumped 10.49 million barrels a day in December, with Saudi Arabia just behind at 10.46 and the US third at 8.9 million barrels. Iraq came up in fourth place with 5 million barrels.
Monday, March 6th 2017 - 08:43 UTC
Theresa May sends strong warnings to Scottish government: “UK will not drift apart in post-Brexit”

United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May has warned the Scottish Government that control over policy areas such as fishing and agriculture might not come to Holyrood in the wake of Brexit. PM May said while no powers will be taken away from Scottish ministers as a result of the decision to leave the European Union, responsibilities that transfer back to Britain from Brussels “must sit at the right level to ensure our United Kingdom can operate effectively”.