Economy

Wednesday, February 5th 2014 - 08:54 UTC
Pacific Alliance summit will remove tariffs from 92% of goods and services

The four presidents of the Pacific Alliance are scheduled to sign next Monday the trade group's Additional Protocol which will remove tariffs on 92% of goods and services, effective immediately, announced Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos who will be hosting the summit in Cartagena.
Wednesday, February 5th 2014 - 08:38 UTC
US Senate passes 1 trillion dollars farm bill with crop insurance program, cuts in subsidies and food stamps

The United States Senate on Tuesday passed the long-awaited almost 1 trillion dollars farm bill, ending two years of partisan clashes and stalled negotiations. The bill was approved with strong bipartisan support, 68 to 32.
Wednesday, February 5th 2014 - 08:27 UTC
Blackout in several Brazilian states that will be hosting the World Cup in June

A blackout late Tuesday hit eleven states of Brazil, six of which are scheduled to host the 2014 World Cup next June. Apparently a peak of demand caused by a heat wave had the grid down, but the government of President Dilma Rousseff attributed the incident to “a disturbance in the National Integrated System Operator” (ONS).
Wednesday, February 5th 2014 - 08:21 UTC
Falklands' oil industry developer Premier CEO steps down

Shares in UK's Premier Oil, which has interests in developing Falkland Islands oil, soared almost 9% on Tuesday despite news that its chief executive is to step down after nine years at the helm. Simon Lockett will leave his position and the board of Premier once a successor has been appointed.
Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 23:00 UTC
Desperate Argentine officials target big business as the culprits of the current situation

The Argentine government announced on Tuesday it has started “a thorough investigation on major foreign trade companies” which have allegedly registered accounting irregularities for 6.8 billion dollars. Cabinet Chief Jorge Capitanich said the Central Bank has reported “mining, grain, food, car and oil companies have exported but failed to account for foreign currency income.”
Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 21:39 UTC
Microsoft names Satya Nadella as new CEO; Gates becomes technology advisor

Microsoft Corp named company veteran Satya Nadella as its next chief executive officer, ending a longer-than-expected search for a new leader after Steve Ballmer announced his intention to retire in August.
Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 09:00 UTC
Yellen is sworn in as chair of Federal Reserve; Bernanke returns to academia

Janet Yellen on Monday was sworn in as chair of the Federal Reserve, the US central bank, replacing Ben Bernanke in the role. She is the first woman to hold the post at the Washington-based bank.
Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 08:56 UTC
China became Uruguay's main trade partner in 2013

China became Uruguay's main trade partner in 2013 totaling 20.9% of all trade according to the latest stats from the Central bank. This leaves China three percentage points ahead of Brazil, 18.8% (traditionally the main partner) and almost four ahead of Argentina with 18.1%.
Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 08:50 UTC
Quasi-monies could be back in Argentina if provinces don't receive financial support by March

Quasi monies could be back in Argentina since many provinces and city councils are running short of funds and the federal government is not sending the checks be it because of political differences or simply because there is not enough money to go around.
Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 08:47 UTC
YPF buys a Petrobras Neuquén/Mendoza block with production of 10.000bpd

Argentina oil company YPF has bought out Brazil player Petrobras to take over full ownership of an exploration block in Neuquen and Mendoza provinces. YPF agreed to pay 40.7 million dollars for Petrobras' operatorship and 38.45% stake in the Puesto Hernandez block, cutting short a joint venture due to expire in 2016, according to the Argentina explorer.