DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Panama trade minister resigns after mining contract backlash
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Elida Moreno | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PANAMA CITY, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Panama's Trade Minister Federico Alfaro announced his resignation on Thursday days after the country's top court ruled a contract between the government and Canadian miner First Quantum < FM.TO> was unconstitutional. The Central American country's trade ministry led negotiations on a contract between the government and First Quantum to operate a key copper mine, which opponents have deemed as too generous to the miner. In a resignation letter addressed to the president and shared on social media, Alfaro mentioned the contract, which generated months of protest throughout Panama, as well as the court ruling. Cortizo announced on Tuesday he will follow through with First Quantum's mine shutdown once the court's ruling is published in the country's official gazette, which has not yet happened. Incoming trade minister Rivera said in a separate public statement the ministry is evaluating actions to comply with the court's ruling and will start coordination talks with labor and environmental authorities.

Persons: Federico Alfaro, Alfaro, Laurentino Cortizo, Jorge Rivera, Cortizo, Rivera, Eli Moreno, Brendan O'Boyle, Isabel Woodford Organizations: PANAMA CITY, Panama's Trade, Central American, Thomson Locations: PANAMA, Panama, Lincoln

☆ Costa Rica arrests 8 bank employees in probe of $6 million heist
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Alvaro Murillo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The National Bank of Costa Rica's headquarters are pictured in San Jose, Costa Rica February 12, 2020. The 3.3 billion colones ($6.2 million) in question were first detected missing at the National Bank of Costa Rica in August through internal audits, and last month the attorney general's office announced an investigation. The principal suspect is a low-level bank employee accused of robbing cash and stashing it away in paper bags out of sight from security cameras, investigators said. This seems like something out of a movie (…) This is not a robbery from the National Bank, it is a robbery from Costa Ricans." ($1 = 528.8750 colones)Reporting by Alvaro Murillo; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Juan Carlos Ulate, saddens, Bernardo Alfaro, Alfaro, General Carlo Diaz, Rodrigo Chaves, Alvaro Murillo, Brendan O'Boyle, David Gregorio Our Organizations: National Bank of Costa, REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, National Bank of, Authorities, bank's, Central American Bank for Economic Integration, National Bank, Thomson Locations: National Bank of Costa Rica's, San Jose, Costa Rica, MEXICO, Costa Rican, National Bank of Costa Rica, Costa Ricans

☆ Breakingviews: Globalization woes create new winners and losers
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Francesco Guerrera | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Over the past seven decades, the world economy has grown 14-fold, powered by a 45-fold expansion in global trade, according to the World Trade Organization. World trade as a percentage of GDP peaked at 61% in 2008. The first is rising geopolitical tensions between the United States and China. The retrenchment is probably going to be gradual: global trade was still worth 57% of world GDP last year. For 2024, the WTO said growth in goods trade would pick up to 3.3%, virtually unchanged from its April estimate of 3.2%.

Persons: Chris Helgren, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping “, ”, Caroline Freund, Aaditya Mattoo, Alen Mulabdic, Michele Ruta, Ursula von der Leyen, it’s, Laura Alfaro, Davin Chor, Dario Perkins, GlobalData’s Perkins, Peter Thal Larsen, Streisand Neto, Thomas Shum Organizations: Warehouse Union, REUTERS, Reuters, World Trade Organization, Economic, Reuters Graphics Reuters, HK, Amperex Technology, European Central Bank, GlobalData, Lombard, Companies, Bureau of Labor Statistics, ECB, Thomson Locations: Vancouver , British Columbia, Canada, Netherlands, United States, China, Beijing, Washington, U.S, Taiwan, Mexico, Vietnam, People’s Republic, Latin America, Chile, Brazil, Ukraine, Geneva

☆ Globalisation woes create new winners and losers
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Francesco Guerrera | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

The ramifications for global markets are significant, with Washington and Beijing's determination to loosen dependence on each other fraying long-established supply chains. Many central banks target 2% inflation; market gauges of traders' long-term U.S. and European inflation expectations are running higher , . Anna Rosenberg, head of geopolitics at the Amundi Investment Institute, said Sino-U.S. tensions, provide a "new lens" through which to analyse emerging markets' growth prospects. But the performance of big U.S. tech stocks and global share indices are vulnerable to signs of Chinese retaliation. With China underperforming global stocks, investors are split on how to approach this market.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Joe Biden, Goldman Sachs, Wouter Sturkenboom, Laura Alfaro, Anna Rosenberg, Christopher Rossbach, J, Stern, Carole Madjo, Wendy Liu, Baird, Patrick Spencer, Naomi Rovnick, Kripa Jayaram, Riddhima, Vineet, Sumanta Sen, Pasit, Louise Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, EMEA, APAC, Northern Trust, Reuters, Research, Harvard Business, Amundi Investment Institute, INDIA RUSH, Barclays reckons, EU, Apple, China, Barclays, JPMorgan, Thomson Locations: West, China, Washington, Western, Germany, Northern, Europe, FRIENDSHORING Washington, Vietnam, Mexico, Mongolia, Philippines, Sino, U.S, India, Beijing, COVID, CHINA

It is not even certain that the decline in China's U.S. import share represents a true delinking, they said. Yet in the background, the researchers noted that China had "stepped up" its trade and investment activity with Vietnam and Mexico, as well as other countries. "The U.S. could well remain indirectly connected to China through its trade and global value chain links with these third-party countries," they argued. Prices for goods from some countries, moreover, were beginning to rise. Reporting by Howard Schneider; Editing by Paul SimaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: JACKSON, deglobalization, Laura Alfaro, Davin Chor, Alfaro, Chor, What's, Howard Schneider, Paul Simao Organizations: Biden, Trump, Federal, Harvard Business School, Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth, Fed, Thomson Locations: , Wyoming, China, Ukraine, freefall, Jackson Hole , Wyoming, U.S, Vietnam, Mexico

☆ Explosives used in Mexico 'terror' attack that killed six
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Soldiers walk near a scene where suspected gang members killed police officers and members of the Jalisco state attorney general's office during an attack with explosives on Tuesday night, in Tlajomulco de Zuniga, Mexico July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Fernando CarranzaMEXICO CITY, July 12 (Reuters) - Suspected gang members in western Mexico killed four security officials and two civilians and injured a dozen other people after an attack with explosives on Tuesday night, which the local government described as an "act of terror." The blast that hit police and officials working at the Jalisco state attorney general's office was "an unprecedented act and shows what these organized crime groups are capable of", state governor Enrique Alfaro said on Twitter. Describing it as an "act of terror", Alfaro said organized crime was trying to spread fear and panic. A spokesperson for the Jalisco government said three of the dead worked at the attorney general's office, one was a local police officer and two were civilians.

Persons: Tlajomulco de, Fernando Carranza, Enrique Alfaro, Alfaro, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Luis Rodriguez Bucio, Dave Graham, Natalia Siniawski, Jason Neely, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, Fernando Carranza MEXICO CITY, Twitter, National Guard, Thomson Locations: Jalisco, Tlajomulco, Tlajomulco de Zuniga, Mexico, Guadalajara, Guanajuato

☆ Costa Rica charges former president Solis with corruption
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SAN JOSE, July 6 (Reuters) - Costa Rica said on Thursday it has charged former President Luis Guillermo Solis with corruption, accusing him of involvement in a 2017 improper transfer of government funds to state-owned Bancredito. Solis, who governed between 2014 and 2018, denied the charges. "I categorically reject the charges that have been brought against me," the former center-left leader said in a video posted on Twitter. "I know I did not commit any crime," he said in a text message to Reuters. "This is a case that has already been prosecuted," he wrote in a text message, saying he would not comment further.

Persons: Luis Guillermo Solis, Solis, Helios Fallas, Sergio Alfaro, Alfaro, Fallas, Alvaro Murillo, Brendan O'Boyle, Edwina Gibbs, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: JOSE, Twitter, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Costa Rica

A Guatemalan judge walked into a meeting at the American Embassy last spring and pulled out a large quantity of cash: The money, she said, was a bribe from one of the president’s closest allies. The judge, Blanca Alfaro, helps lead the authority that oversees the country’s elections. She claimed the money had been given to her to gain influence over the electoral agency, according to a U.S. official briefed on the encounter and a person who was present and requested anonymity to discuss the details of a private meeting. American diplomats were shocked by the brazenness of the episode, but not by the allegations. In the volatile political climate consuming Guatemala in the run-up to presidential elections on Sunday, there has been one constant: a steady drumbeat of attacks on democratic institutions by those in power.

Persons: Blanca Alfaro Organizations: American Embassy, U.S Locations: Guatemala

☆ MLB roundup: Joey Votto stars in return for streaking Reds
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Lindor had a three-run homer and a two-run double, and Vogelbach hit a solo shot and a two-run single. Tigers 6, Royals 4Kerry Carpenter capped a five-run uprising in the seventh inning with a three-run homer as host Detroit rallied past Kansas City. Maikel Garcia had a two-run home run and Bobby Witt Jr. hit a solo shot for Kansas City. Red Sox 9, Twins 3Alex Verdugo drove in four runs and Triston Casas added a two-run homer as Boston won its fifth straight game, beating Minnesota in Minneapolis. Christian Vazquez hit a three-run homer against his former team as the Twins lost for the fourth time in five games.

Persons: Joey Votto, David Kohl, Alex Young, Alexis Diaz, Elias Diaz, Jorge Alfaro, Austin Gomber, Jorge Soler, Luis Arraez, Arraez, Ty Cobb, Stan Musial, Ichiro Suzuki, Tony Gwynn, Jose Berrios, Huascar Brazoban, Mike Yastrzemski, Ray Kerr, Yastrzemski, Camilo Doval, Juan Soto, Brendan Donovan, Paul Goldschmidt, Louis, Jack Flaherty, Goldschmidt, Luis Garcia's, Josiah Gray, Daniel Vogelbach, Francisco Lindor slugged, Max Scherzer, Lindor, Vogelbach, Yainer Diaz, Hunter Brown, Kerry Carpenter, Tyler Alexander, Alex Lange, Jake Rogers, Maikel Garcia, Bobby Witt Jr, Mike Tauchman, Drew Smyly, Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, Seiya Suzuki, Pittsburgh's Osvaldo Bido, Alex Verdugo, Casas, Jarren Duran, James Paxton, Christian Vazquez, Pablo Lopez, Alek Thomas, Corbin Burnes, Thomas, Merrill Kelly, Jonah Heim, Josh Jung, Andrew Heaney, Tanner Banks Organizations: Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Rockies, Marlins, Blue Jays, Miami, Toronto, Giants, Padres, San, Cardinals, Nationals, Washington, Mets, Astros, Tigers, Royals, Detroit, Kansas City, Cubs, Pirates, Chicago spanked, Red Sox, Boston, Minnesota, Twins, Diamondbacks, Brewers, Milwaukee, Triple, Rangers, White Sox, Chicago, The Rangers, Texas, Thomson Locations: Cincinnati , Ohio, USA, San Francisco, San Diego, St, New York, Houston, Kansas, Carpenter's, Chicago spanked Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, Arizona, Reno, Texas, Chicago

Guardia Civil/Handout via REUTERSMADRID, June 1 (Reuters) - Spanish police raided three clandestine tobacco factories early this year, seizing nearly 40 million euros ($44 million) worth of tobacco leaf and illicit cigarettes. This operation is one of dozens across the EU that regional policing and anti-fraud agencies say have driven seizures of illicit cigarettes to record levels. It may have been further accelerated by the war in Ukraine, which for years has been a production hub and transit route for illicit tobacco, OLAF added. TOBACCO INVESTIGATORSThe industry has responded by hiring investigators to research illicit operations and share intelligence with European authorities, executives at Japan Tobacco, BAT and Imperial Brands told Reuters. "A good many workers from Ukraine have been found in these illegal factories," Japan Tobacco's Byrne said about counterfeiting operations across the EU.

Persons: who'd, OLAF, Cyrille Olive, Philip Morris, Olive, Europol, Vincent Byrne, Byrne, Japan Tobacco's Winston, Alex McDonald, Ernesto Bianchi, McDonald, Japan Tobacco's Byrne, They're, they're, Richa Naidu, Emma Pinedo, Emilio Parodi, Matt Scuffham Organizations: Guardia Civil, REUTERS, Spanish, EU, BAT, Imperial Brands, Japan Tobacco, Philip Morris International, Reuters, Marlboro, America's Dunhill, Supplies, Investigators, Mobile, Thomson Locations: Seville, Spain, Guardia, REUTERS MADRID, Alfaro, Europe, Ukraine, British American, France, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Denmark, Czech Republic, Ireland, Japan, China, Asia, EU, Russia, Belarus, Roda de Ter, Barcelona, Spanish, Italy, Pomezia, Russian, Moldovan, London, Madrid, Milan

Trump will make a speech at his Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida, his gilded getaway. Palm Beach, Florida, his gilded getaway. Here's a look inside the exclusive resort that the public doesn't get to see. He is due to give a speech to supporters addressing the charges at Mar-a-Lago after his arraignment on Tuesday evening. During Trump's presidency, the exclusive resort was often referred to as "the winter White House."

☆ Exclusive: First Quantum warns employees that Panama mine may close if dispute is not settled
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Valentine Hilaire | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A long-running contract dispute between the Canadian miner and Panama officials centers on disagreements over tax rates and royalties at the Cobre Panama mine. In the latest twist, Panama's maritime authority last month ordered First Quantum to suspend copper concentrate loading operations at a major port, essentially blocking the company from shipping and selling its copper. The Vancouver-based company said the maritime authority had told it that the suspension was due to the scale it was using not being properly calibrated. "If concentrate is not shipped by next week, these technical frustrations may force Cobre Panama to enter care and maintenance or suspend operations," he said. Panama's maritime authority did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

☆ Clock not yet ticking for First Quantum to halt Panama mine -minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Valentine Hilaire | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FILE PHOTO: A general view of Minera Panama owned by Canada's First Quantum Minerals in Donoso, Panama December 6, 2022. But the company must still make a $375 million payment to the government for its 2022 operations, even when it was operating without a contract, Minister Federico Alfaro told Reuters. The company has until this Friday to appeal the order, said Alfaro, who has been leading negotiations with First Quantum. Contract termination terms are among the sticking points to reach an agreement, the minister said. The government hopes to reach a deal with the firm via regular meetings with First Quantum representatives, said Alfaro.

☆ Canada's First Quantum CEO holds talks with Panama minister: source
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( Valentine Hilaire | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PANAMA CITY, Dec 26 (Reuters) - The Chief Executive Officer of Canadian miner First Quantum Minerals met Panama's commerce and industry minister on Monday to discuss disagreements over the firm's copper operations in the country, a person familiar with the matter said. First Quantum (FM.TO) CEO Tristan Pascall flew to Panama over Christmas to attend the meeting in person with the minister, Federico Alfaro, according to the source, who said further talks are planned. The government and the mining company have been discussing a deal that would have increased annual tax payments to Panama to at least $375 million. The Panamanian government ordered the firm to halt operations at the Cobre Panama mine after they both missed a deadline to reach an agreement. The mine accounts for roughly 3.5% of Panama's gross domestic product, according to government figures.

☆ Canada 'keen' on resolution for First Quantum in Panama
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Steve Scherer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

After efforts to reach a deal failed, Panama on Dec. 15 said First Quantum must shut down its Cobre Panama mine. The Cobre Panama mine is considered the largest private investment in the Central American country, accounting for roughly 3.5% of its gross domestic product. First Quantum reported revenue from Cobre Panama of $2.29 billion in the first nine months of this year. The dispute centers around Panama seeking an increase in annual payments to at least $375 million. Though mainly focused on copper, First Quantum also mines nickel, zinc and cobalt in projects across South America, Africa, Europe and Australia.

☆ Ecuador's 'Superman' Valencia should be fit for Netherlands game
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Andrew Cawthorne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"I hope to play in the second game against Holland." Coach Gustavo Alfaro was full of praise for his main man and was sure he would be fine for their next group game against three-time finalists the Netherlands. "Enner will play against the Netherlands - there is no doubt about that," he told reporters. SERENADED BY FANSEcuador punched their way out of arguably the world's toughest qualifying group, taking the fourth automatic berth for South America. The man who sometimes went hungry as a youth and sold cows' milk to pay for his boots has now netted the nation's last five World Cup goals.

☆ Qatar and Ecuador stick with trusted lineups
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

AL KHOR, Qatar, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Hosts Qatar's top scorer Almoez Ali and fellow striker Akram Afif lead the line against Ecuador in Sunday's World Cup opener as coach Felix Sanchez stuck with stalwarts from a settled squad that has had longer than most to bond and prepare. Experienced midfielder Hasan Al-Haydos, who can also play on the wing, took the captaincy for the World Cup debutants and 2019 Asian Cup winners at the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt stadium. Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro also named a predictable lineup, with Moises Caicedo anchoring the midfield and top scorer Enner Valencia leading the attack as captain. Ecuador: Hernan Galindez; Felix Torres; Piero Hincapie; Pervis Estupinan; Romario Ibarra; Michael Estrada; Enner Valencia; Angelo Preciado; Gonzalo Plata; Jhegson Mendez; Moises Caicedo. Reporting by Andrew Cawthorne, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Former President Donald Trump made official his plan to run for president again. Here's a look inside the exclusive resort that the public doesn't get to see. Former President Donald Trump announced his intent to run for a second presidential term at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida. During Trump's presidency, the exclusive resort was often referred to as "the winter White House." Following the end of his presidential term, Trump decamped to the ornate resort.

☆ Every World Cup 2022 squad announced: USMNT, Germany, Belgium and more
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

CNN —‘Tis the season for wall charts and fans gathering around to pick their starting teams for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. “It’s always difficult when a guy helps you get to the World Cup, he scores three goals in World Cup qualifying and isn’t going to be a part of the program. Again, it’s more about who we did add that we felt good about.”All but one of the 26 will be making their World Cup debut at this year’s tournament and, according to the USMNT, it will be the youngest team to qualify for the World Cup. Octavio Passos/Getty Images Europe/Getty ImagesGhanaManager: Otto AddoThe final squad has not been announced yet. READ: Meet Otto Addo, the coach responsible for guiding some of Europe’s brightest young talents (2021)—–PortugalManager: Fernando SantosThe final squad has not been announced yet.

☆ Mexican artisans work to preserve handmade Día de los Muertos decorations
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

“The business was born 34 years ago, we were very little then, and we started helping in getting the work done,” Torres Alfaro recalled. Many Mexicans also use the papel picado decorations at other times of the year, stringing them at roof-height along streets. Eduardo Verdugo / AP“For some time now, there has been a bit more Halloween,” said Torres Alfaro. That is part of the work, to put Mexican things in papel picado. “Papel picado is based on what can be cut, and what can’t, and that is the magic of papel picado.”Follow NBC Latino on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

☆ Mexico braces for Hurricane Roslyn surge
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Hurricane Roslyn was expected to deliver a treacherous storm surge to parts of Mexico Sunday after plowing over the Pacific as a powerful Category 4 storm just offshore from the resort of Puerto Vallarta. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said early Sunday that Roslyn had become “extremely dangerous” with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph. The storm was forecast “to bring damaging winds, a life-threatening storm surge and flooding rains to portions of west-central Mexico today,” the hurricane center said at 12 a.m. Sunday. Everything is calm, it’s all normal,” said Jaime Cantón, a receptionist at the Casa Maria hotel in Puerto Vallarta. and the U.S. hurricane center warned of dangerous storm surge along the coast, as well as 4 to 6 inches of rain.

☆ MLB roundup: Cardinals, Yankees clinch division titles
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

Yankees right-hander Jameson Taillon (14-5) allowed two runs and seven hits in 7 1/3 innings. Brian Anderson had three hits and scored two runs for the Marlins, and Jacob Stallings hit a two-run single. Casas, who finished 3-for-4, clobbered a two-run homer in the second inning. Hunter Dozier hit a two-run homer for the Royals, who got two hits from Michael A. Taylor. Altuve went 3-for-4 with four runs, and Hensley contributed an RBI single and a two-run homer.

☆ Surpriză la Copa America 2021! Peru a învins naționala Columbiei
▼ + stars: | 2021-06-21 | by ( Publika.Md - Aici Sunt Știrile | ) www.publika.md time to read: +1 min

Reprezentativa statului Peru a învins naționala Columbiei cu 2-1. Columbia a obținut un penalty la începutul reprizei secunde, atunci când Miguel Borja a fost faultat în careu. Peru a smuls victoria grație autogolului marcat de Yerry Mina, care a deviat mingea în propria poartă după un corner. Într-un alt meci din cadrul grupei B, Venezuela a remizat cu Ecuador, scor 2-2. Edson Castillo și Ronald Hernandez au marcat câte un gol pentru selecționata țării lor, lotul căreia a fost afectat de COVID-19 înaintea competiției.

Persons: Sergio Pena, Miguel Borja, Gustavo Alfaro, Ayrton, Gonzalo Plata, Ronald Hernandez Organizations: America, Columbia Locations: Brazilia, Peru, Columbiei, Goiania, Venezuela, Ecuador

Search resuls for: "Alfaro"

24 mentions found