Stories for September 2018

Tuesday, September 25th 2018 - 08:24 UTC
Green mosses of East Antarctica are succumbing to climate change, says scientific paper

Emerging from the ice for a brief growing season every Antarctic summer, the lush green mosses of East Antarctica are finally succumbing to climate change. That is according to a study of the small, ancient and hardy plants - carried out over more than a decade.
Tuesday, September 25th 2018 - 07:45 UTC
Oil market turbulence ahead of US sanctions on Iran; OPEC meeting does not plan to increase output

Brent crude breached US$ 81 a barrel on Monday — its highest level in nearly four years — on the back of a tightening oil market and OPEC leaders signaling they won't be immediately boosting output. Global benchmark Brent crude rose as high as US$ 81.39 a barrel, its strongest level since Nov. 21, 2014.
Tuesday, September 25th 2018 - 07:31 UTC
Brazil:Haddad closer to Bolsonaro and would beat him in the runoff, according to latest polls

Fernando Haddad, the presidential candidate for Brazil’s Workers Party (PT), is closing the gap with poll-leading far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro for the October 7 first-round vote and would beat him in a runoff, a survey released on Monday showed.
Tuesday, September 25th 2018 - 06:59 UTC
“Zero chance” Argentina will default on its debt next year, Macri tells bankers and investors

President Mauricio Macri said on Monday that Argentina was close to a deal with the International Monetary Fund to bolster a US$ 50 billion credit line, while a government source said US$ 3-US$ 5 billion in additional funds could be announced this week.
Tuesday, September 25th 2018 - 06:51 UTC
Macri announced in New York that he will run for reelection next year

Argentine president Mauricio Macri said on Tuesday in New York addressing a meeting with potential investors that he was prepared to run for reelection next year, and that there will be no change of course, “there is no plan B”.
Monday, September 24th 2018 - 09:26 UTC
Bolsonaro's homophobic rhetoric backfiring among women voters

Brazil’s far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro built much of his reputation on shocking, sexist rhetoric. But that’s backfiring with the majority of the electorate: women. The former Army captain’s rejection rate has risen to 50% among female voters, even as he lies on a hospital bed after being stabbed by a fanatic.
Monday, September 24th 2018 - 09:19 UTC
Macri in New York to convince investors Argentina in on track to stability and address the UN assembly

Argentine president Mauricio Macri is in New York where he is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, but will also be holding a round of talks with business leaders and potential investors, plus granting interviews to key media outlets.
Monday, September 24th 2018 - 09:18 UTC
Brexit: Labour conference expected to vote keeping “all options on the table”

British Labour party members are to vote on keeping “all options on the table” on Brexit, including possibly campaigning for a new referendum at their conference. Party power brokers have agreed on the wording for Tuesday's motion on what the party should do about Brexit if it cannot get a general election.
Monday, September 24th 2018 - 09:17 UTC
Brazil's colored community sponsors Black & Black network to promote its political candidates

In Brazil's general elections approach, a new social network is gaining traction aimed at giving greater visibility to black candidates while highlighting anti-racism initiatives in the country tainted by racial prejudice. Black & Black, which has 100,000 users -- in a population of more than 200 million -- aims to “connect the demands and narratives of the world's black population” and to ensure that “black people get the prominence they deserve.”
Monday, September 24th 2018 - 09:15 UTC
Petrobras plans to increase output 10% next year to some 2.3 million bpd

Brazil’s state-run oil giant Petrobras aims to raise output as much as 10% to around 2.3 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2019 and cut net debt by US$10 billion, according to Chief Financial Officer Rafael Grisolia. The world’s most indebted oil company is on course to reduce debt to US$ 69 billion by the end of this year despite falling short of its US$ 21 billion asset sales target, Grisolia pointed out.