Stories for February 28th 2018

Wednesday, February 28th 2018 - 11:09 UTC
UK academic cooperation with Venezuela on Climate Change

On 21 February, the First Academic Report on Climate Change was presented in Caracas with a conference by Dr. Antonina Ivanova, member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Wednesday, February 28th 2018 - 10:08 UTC
Falklands second commercial air link: “Avoid any Argentine flight connection”

The recent statement entitled ‘Progress made towards establishing a second commercial Falkland Islands air link’ released by the Falkland Islands Government has met with a mixed reception in the Islands. While some have expressed favor others have reservations and questions.
Wednesday, February 28th 2018 - 10:00 UTC
Brazilian presidential hopeful would support privatization of Petrobras

The governor of Sao Paulo and likely centrist presidential candidate Geraldo Alckmin said that he would privatize Brazil's state-run oil company Petrobras if he wins the elections in October.
Wednesday, February 28th 2018 - 09:56 UTC
Menem forecasts Peronism will rise from the ashes and be government in 2019

Former Argentine president Carlos Menem rated the government of Cristina Fernandez one, out of a scale of ten, and with a smile told a CNN interviewer that all Argentine governments had been exposed to corruption except his. He also anticipated that Peronism will “rise from the ashes” and return to government in 2019.
Wednesday, February 28th 2018 - 09:53 UTC
Fed chairman Powell anticipates gradual interest rate increases despite larger government spending

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, pledging to “strike a balance” between the risk of an overheating economy and the need to keep growth on track, told U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday that the central bank would stick with gradual interest rate increases despite the added stimulus of tax cuts and government spending.
Wednesday, February 28th 2018 - 09:46 UTC
Conservative Putin ready to add another six years to his 18 in power

By Gwynne Dyer

Why wait another month to report on the Russian election (March 18th) when we can wrap it up right now? Vladimir Putin is going to win another six years in power by a landslide — probably between 60% and 70% of the popular vote. The real question is what happens after that, because he will be 72 by the end of his next term and will not legally be allowed to run for president again.
Wednesday, February 28th 2018 - 09:41 UTC
Brazil's Public Security minister takes office sacking the head of the Federal Police

Fernando Segovia, the director general of Brazil's federal police which spearhead the country's sprawling corruption cases, was replaced on Tuesday, the press office of the newly created Public Security Ministry said in a statement.
Wednesday, February 28th 2018 - 09:37 UTC
Prolonged drought wrecking soybean and corn crops, threatens Argentina's growth

A prolonged drought wreaking havoc on Argentina's soybean and corn crops could threaten the country's economic performance in 2018, an official said, as the country seeks to grow for a second straight year after several years of biting recession.
Wednesday, February 28th 2018 - 09:23 UTC
North Ireland “hard border” controversy surfaces in in London and Brussels

The British government has dismissed any prospect of a return to a “hard border” on the island of Ireland after Brexit. It followed the leak of a letter from Boris Johnson in which he appeared to contemplate future customs border checks after the UK leaves the EU.
Wednesday, February 28th 2018 - 09:20 UTC
Pemex loss of US$ 18bn in fourth quarter; blames weaker Peso and declining oil fields

Mexican state-owned oil company Pemex reported a nearly US$18 billion fourth-quarter loss on Monday after both crude output and processing slid, though the company said refining levels should rebound as major maintenance plans are completed. The company posted a 352.3bn (US$17.9bn) peso loss for the last quarter of 2017, blaming a weaker peso exchange rate and higher financing costs for its performance, according to a filing with the Mexican stock exchange.