Stories for July 2017

Monday, July 24th 2017 - 08:50 UTC
Brazil cuts spending and raises taxes, including on fuel, to try and balance the budget

Brazil's government increased a spending freeze and raised taxes to cover a budget gap this year, reinforcing its commitment to fiscal discipline but dealing a potential blow to fragile economic growth. In a statement by the Finance and Planning Ministries, the government said it will freeze an additional 5.9 billion Reais (US$1.9 billion) in federal spending this year
Monday, July 24th 2017 - 08:38 UTC
Morales highlights Bolivian independence from the IMF and World Bank

President Evo Morales has highlighted the total Bolivian independence from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB), which have carried out “devastating economic policies for many years” in this South American nation.
Monday, July 24th 2017 - 08:22 UTC
Brenda Hale, named first woman president of the UK Supreme Court

Brenda Hale was appointed as the UK Supreme Court's first female president on Friday, July 21st. The former deputy president of the court for four years will take on the role as the thirteenth President of the Supreme Court on October 2nd, following a line of twelve all-male predecessors.
Monday, July 24th 2017 - 07:07 UTC
Mercosur and Colombia agree to a limited list of tariff-free products

Mercosur inked a trade deal with Colombia last Friday to allow limited quantities of tariff-free trade in products including automobiles, textiles and agrochemicals, Argentina's and Colombia's governments said.
Monday, July 24th 2017 - 06:49 UTC
First full-scale floating wind farm begins to take shape off Scotland

The world's first full-scale floating wind farm has started to take shape off the north-east coast of Scotland. The revolutionary technology will allow wind power to be harvested in waters too deep for the current conventional bottom-standing turbines used.
Monday, July 24th 2017 - 06:36 UTC
Corbyn, “the greatest rebel ever”, invited to avoid de-selection of MPs

A former Labour chief whip has urged Jeremy Corbyn to “reflect” on Tony Blair's approach when party leader by ruling out the de-selection of MPs. Baroness Hilary Armstrong told the BBC Mr Corbyn was “the greatest rebel ever” as a backbencher but Mr Blair was reluctant to discipline him. She said the then prime minister felt that Labour was “a broad church”.
Monday, July 24th 2017 - 06:09 UTC
Falklands war new book says invading Argentines faced fierce defense from Marines and suffered heavy casualties

A new book has challenged the official account of the Falklands War, including allegedly one of the worst kept secrets of the conflict. The First Casualty, written by noted military historian Ricky Phillips, reveals that, far from surrendering without a fight when the Argentines invaded the Islands in April 1982, a detachment of Royal Marines battled for more than two hours and killed around 100 of their opponents.
Sunday, July 23rd 2017 - 13:11 UTC
Despite Trump's pledge Carrier laying off workers and moving to Mexico

The Carrier factory where a president-elect Donald J. Trump boasted of having crafted a deal to save jobs from moving to Mexico has begun laying off workers. 338 employees at the Carrier Corporation fan coil manufacturing facility in Indianapolis will be let go Friday under the previously announced plan, the company said in a statement.
Sunday, July 23rd 2017 - 12:23 UTC
Bank of America moves European operations to “natural location” Dublin

The Bank of America announced Friday that Dublin will be the new base for its European Union operations following Britain’s decision last year to split from the EU. Brian Moynihan, CEO of the Charlotte-based bank, made the announcement during a trip to the Irish capital city. It becomes the latest large U.S. bank in recent weeks to disclose plans for continuing to serve clients in EU countries following the so-called Brexit vote in 2016.
Sunday, July 23rd 2017 - 12:14 UTC
Maersk closer of first gas in North Sea Culzean field; 60.000/90.000bpd expected

Maersk Oil said on Friday that it had reached another key milestone ahead of first gas from its flagship North Sea Culzean field. All three platform jackets for the £3.3billion project have now been put in place on time and on budget, the company said.