DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ IMF expects deal with Argentina in the coming days
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Miguel Lo Bianco/File PhotoBUENOS AIRES, July 23 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) should in the coming days finalize the basis for a staff level agreement with Argentina over a review of the country's $44 billion loan with the IMF, the Washington-based fund said on Sunday. "The teams of the Economy Ministry and Central Bank of Argentina and the IMF staff have finished the core aspects of the technical work of the next review," the IMF said on Twitter. "The central objectives and parameters that will be the basis for a "staff level agreement" have been agreed, which is expected to be finalized in the next few days before moving towards the review of the Argentina program," it added. Argentina faces maturities with the IMF worth some $3.4 billion between July 31 and Aug. 1, at a time when the central bank's net reserves are about $6.5 billion in the red. An Economy Ministry source told Reuters the disbursement program for the second half of 2023 has already closed and that the staff level accord could be sealed on Wednesday or Thursday.

Persons: Miguel Lo Bianco, Hernan Nessi, Nick Zieminski Organizations: IMF, REUTERS, Monetary Fund, Economy Ministry, Central Bank of, Twitter, Ministry, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, BUENOS AIRES, Washington, Central Bank of Argentina

☆ Opinion | Barbara Kingsolver Thinks Urban Liberals Have It All Wrong on Appalachia
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( The Ezra Klein Show | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +58 min

It’s like there’s no point in asking who started this because it’s a really, really old antagonism. I think that’s probably what’s most critical right now is that all of our entertainment, our news media, it’s all made in cities. And he’s really pretty horrible, and he doesn’t feed them enough, and that’s really sad. You’re going to have a flat tire, and the guy that pulls up to help you is going to tell your dad within minutes. It’s not like most books you’re going to see.

Persons: Ezra Klein, ezra klein, —, Hernan Diaz, Barbara Kingsolver, “ David Copperfield ”, Dickens, It’s, barbara kingsolver, you’ve, ezra klein We’re, Nobody, I’d, I’ve, Bobby Ann Mason’s, “, — Wendell Berry, Robert Penn Warren, James Still, Harriette, Taylor Greer, you’re, George Washington, ” he’s, — he’s, he’s, I’ll, They’re, George W, Bush, they’re, barbara kingsolver You’re, we’ve, That’s, that’s, I’m, ” barbara kingsolver, barbara kingsolver Oh, barbara kingsolver ezra klein barbara kingsolver, ezra klein Yes, we’re, Charles Dickens, “ David Copperfield, ”, Tommy, ” It’s, ezra klein There’s, barbara kingsolver There’s, Tommy Traddles, Tommy Waddles, who’s, He’s, We’re, Tommy’s, she’s, it’s, Beth Macy, overdosed, ” ezra klein, There’s, grandkids, they’ve, Dori, doesn’t, Peggot, Frances Goldin, Arwen Donahue, She’s, Beth Macy’s, Lazarus, Laline Paull, ezra klein Barbara Kingsolver Organizations: New York, Fiction, Trump, Nicholas County High School, DePauw University, Walmart, The New York Times, . Times, New York Times, Farmers, “, Knoxville —, Purdue Pharma, Purdue, aha, Scots Locations: Appalachia, It’s, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, U.S, exploitations, Congo, Caribbean, Indiana, Nicholas, Arizona, Europe, Tucson , Arizona, Tucson, Paris, Athens, France, “ Shiloh, MAGA, America, Brazil, Eastern Europe, There’s, California, New York, “, Tommy, Pennington, Knoxville, there’s, nove, Lee County, that’s Lee County, that’s, United States of America, who’s, New York City

☆ Top FARC dissident leader Ivan Marquez dead, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Luis Jaime Acosta | Thomson Reuters | Luis Jaime Has Worked At Reuters For More Than Years. While He Chiefly Covers Colombia'S Armed Conflict | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The attack against Marquez, whose real name was Luciano Marín Arango, may have been led by Ivan Mordisco, leader of a rival FARC dissident group, according to security sources. Colombia's Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez told journalists there was still no official information on Marquez's death. Marquez later emerged as the leader of the so-called Segunda Marquetalia, a group of former FARC who took up arms anew. Marquez died in Venezuela the two people familiar with the matter told Reuters, which also included an intelligence source. Petro reopened diplomatic and trade relations with Venezuela and Venezuela is a guarantor at Colombia's peace talks with the National Liberation Army rebels.

Persons: Ivan Marquez, Marquez, Luciano Marín Arango, Ivan Mordisco, Ivan Velasquez, Gustavo Petro, Miguel Botache Santillana, Gentil Duarte, Seuxis Hernandez, Hernan Dario Velasquez, Jesus Santrich, El Paisa, Nicolas Maduro, Petro, Luis Jaime Acosta, Vivian Sequera, Oliver Griffin, Julia Symmes Cobb, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, Revolutionary Armed Forces, Segunda, Colombia's, Venezuela's Ministry, Information, National Liberation Army, Thomson Locations: BOGOTA, Venezuela, Colombia, Caracas, Venezuela's, United States, Colombian

☆ Top FARC dissident leader Ivan Marquez dead - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Luis Jaime Acosta | Thomson Reuters | Luis Jaime Has Worked At Reuters For More Than Years. While He Chiefly Covers Colombia'S Armed Conflict | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BOGOTA, July 6 (Reuters) - Ivan Marquez, the well-known leader of a faction of former FARC rebels who returned to arms after a peace deal with Colombia's government, has died in Venezuela, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday. The attack against Marquez, whose real name was Luciano Marín Arango, may have been led by Ivan Mordisco, leader of a rival FARC dissident group, according to security sources. Colombia's Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez told journalists there was still no official information on Marquez's death. Marquez later emerged as the leader of the so-called Segunda Marquetalia, a group of former FARC who took up arms anew. Petro reopened diplomatic and trade relations with Venezuela and Venezuela is a guarantor at Colombia's peace talks with the National Liberation Army rebels.

☆ A Solemn Walk Through Highland Park One Year After Parade Massacre
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Mitch Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Hernan Cuevas was just a few days into his tenure as pastor of a Roman Catholic parish in Highland Park when the parade took place. Mr. Cuevas had rounded up congregants for the church float and bought granola bars to hand out to people along the route. He said it was not until he saw “a wave of people walking toward us, running, crying” that “we thought, ‘These are not fireworks. Mr. Cuevas said his congregants had processed the trauma from that day differently, and had different ideas about how to observe this Fourth of July. Others left town for the holiday, seeking distance from the pain.

Persons: Hernan Cuevas, Cuevas, ’ ” Organizations: Roman Catholic Locations: Highland Park

☆ Argentina economic activity slumps 4.2% in April as drought hit farming
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Hernan Nessi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

3 for corn and an important wheat supplier, but the most recent harvest was pummeled by one of the country's worst droughts in history. Government data showed that agriculture and fishing had the worst results for the month, with the former the main driver of the overall activity decline. The 'EMAE' activity index is a useful early indicator of likely economic growth. "These two sectors contributed four percentage points to the year-on-year drop in the EMAE," INDEC said. Argentina is battling inflation of over 100% and a weak peso currency, with around four-in-10 people living in poverty.

Persons: INDEC, Hernan Nessi, Carolina Pulice, Aida Pelaez, Fernandez Organizations: International Monetary Fund, Reuters, Thomson Locations: BUENOS AIRES, Argentina

On May 25, 2005, Liverpool and AC Milan contested the Champions League final at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium, which also hosts this year’s showpiece between Manchester City and Inter Milan. What happened in the second half, however, made the 2005 Champions League final the mother of all “I was there” moments. Rafael Benítez’s men emerged for the second half looking like an entirely different team, one full of belief that played with courage and purpose. “I think the most asked question is: ‘What happened at half time?’” Hyypia said. We have to give the fans something to cheer about in the second half, many of them have traveled a long way – even in cars to Istanbul to support us.

Persons: CNN — It’s, Paolo Maldini’s, Hernan Crespo, Sami Hyypia, Carlo Ancelotti, FILIPPO MONTEFORTE, Steven Gerrard, Liverpool’s, Xabi Alonso, Rafael Benítez’s, ” Hyypia, “ I’ve, I’ve, ‘, Rafa Benítez, “, ”, Gerrard, gee, – Hyypia, Hyypia, Jerzy, Dudek, Andriy, Shevchenko, Jerzy Dudek, MUSTAFA OZER, Dida, Xabi, ” Dida Organizations: CNN, “ Istanbul ”, AC Milan, Champions League, Manchester City, Inter Milan, Liverpool, League, CNN Sport, ”, Milan, Getty, Reds, AFP, Man City, Inter Locations: Liverpool, Istanbul, ’, Milan, Italian, AFP

☆ Rainn Wilson is bringing us on a happiness journey
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Which is why I’m super grateful to Rainn Wilson. Something to sip on…Rainn Wilson in a scene from his new show "Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss." from PeacockIn a recent interview with Wilson about his new show on Peacock, “Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss,” I started by thanking him for helping me not feel guilty about not feeling happy. “They’re going to pay me to go around the world and look for happiness?” Wilson said. Netflix“Selling Sunset” Season 6Come for the real estate porn, stay for the drama.

☆ Some of the Books That Hernan Diaz Owns Surprise Even Him
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Scott, Deborah Eisenberg, Paul Yoon, Ottessa Moshfegh, Michael Ondaatje, Louise Erdrich, Colson Whitehead, Sigrid Nunez, Jean Strouse, Lorrie Moore. The novel contains four different books, written by different fictional authors in disparate genres and styles. “Trust” closes with a personal diary that is also a sort of a prose poem and a love letter to modernism. While writing this, I read and revisited authors as different as Jean Rhys, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Townsend Warner, Dawn Powell, Theodor Adorno and Gertrude Stein. Wodehouse section of my library and can report that I’ve read 29 of his books.

☆ Explainer: Ecuador's Lasso dissolved the legislature. What comes next?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Police stand outside the National Assembly after it was dissolved in a decree by Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso, bringing forward legislative and presidential elections, a day after he... Read moreQUITO, May 17 (Reuters) - Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso dissolved the National Assembly by decree on Wednesday, bringing forward legislative and presidential elections, a day after he defended himself in an impeachment hearing. WHAT IS PRESIDENT LASSO ACCUSED OF? Lasso, a former banker who took power in 2021, has denied the charges and says they are politically motivated. Ecuador's National Assembly began an impeachment hearing against Lasso on Tuesday, following a vote on May 9 to move forward in the process against him, which was passed with 88 votes from the 116 legislators present. Lasso invoked the "two-way death" on Wednesday, citing Ecuador's grave political crisis.

☆ Bat lands worldwide are besieged, seeding risk of a new pandemic
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +16 min

This collision – bats and humans competing for resources on territory long the domain of the bats – could trigger the next pandemic. As people destroy bat habitats worldwide, they are unwittingly helping bat-borne viruses mutate, multiply, and infect other species, including homo sapiens. For millennia, bat viruses lurked across the forests of West Africa and in other undisturbed parts of the world but posed little threat to humanity. They’re potent proliferators: Some roost tightly together and in close quarters with other bat species. Each of the bat viruses analyzed by Reuters has epidemic potential, according to the World Health Organization.

[1/4] A costumer counts money before buying tangerines in a green grocery store, as Argentines struggle amid rising inflation, in Buenos Aires, Argentina May 11, 2023. REUTERS/Agustin MarcarianBUENOS AIRES, May 12 (Reuters) - Argentina's annual inflation rate soared to 109% in April, the country's statistics agency said on Friday, smashing past analyst forecasts and stoking anger among hard-hit consumers who are increasingly having to skimp and save to get by. 2 economy, posted 8.4% monthly inflation in April, well above analyst forecasts of 7.5% and the highest in decades. The highest analyst estimate in a Reuters poll for April's monthly inflation rate had been 8.3%. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsReporting by Miguel Lo Bianco; Writing by Nicolás Misculin; Editing by Adam JourdanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Veracruz state: Home of the flying Voladores, Mexico's top coffee and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( Tim Leffel | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The Voladores of Veracruz in Mexico have a history that goes back at least 1,400 years. “The flying ritual has never had a learning age, it is a project of a lifetime,” he says. Nearly all of the Voladores train in or around Papantla, where the flying schools prepare young people to take over for those who are eventually aging out. Coffee, ancient ruins and an overlooked capital cityMen with ankle ropes flying deftly around a pole are not the only export from this state, though. The big draw, however, is Mexico’s second most important archaeological museum after the one in Mexico City.

☆ Bolivia takes control of Banco Fassil, executives arrested
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LA PAZ, April 26 (Reuters) - Bolivia's government took control of one of the country's largest banks, Banco Fassil, a senior government financial official said on Wednesday, and police arrested several executives for alleged mismanagement. "Mismanagement, unhealthy practices have caused a crisis," the executive director of Bolivia's Financial System Supervision Authority (ASFI), Reynaldo Yujra, told reporters in the city of Santa Cruz. Dozens of police were stationed at Banco Fassil's 185 branches across Bolivia on Wednesday, authorities said. Banco Fassil President Ricardo Mertens, General Manager Jorge Arturo Chávez and another executive, Hernan Suarez, were arrested late Tuesday, while a fourth, Hermes Saucedo, turned himself in early Wednesday morning, according to the Santa Cruz attorney general's office. "The financial system in general is in good health.

☆ Explainer: Why are Ecuador lawmakers trying to impeach President Lasso?
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Ecuadorean President Guillermo Lasso participates in an interview at Carondelet Palace, in Quito, Ecuador April 26, 2022. REUTERS/Santiago Arcos/File PhotoQUITO, April 24 (Reuters) - Ecuadorean opposition lawmakers and President Guillermo Lasso - or his lawyer - are scheduled to testify this week in impeachment hearings that could see the conservative former banker censured and removed from office. Lasso has denied the charges, pointing out the contract was signed in 2018, three years before he took office. Estupinan is a key witness for opposition lawmakers, who say the former manager claims to have warned Lasso about contract irregularities allegedly committed by Luque, but got no response. Lawmakers from the Revolucion Ciudadana party of former President Rafael Correa, fierce opponents of Lasso, have pledged to cast their 47 votes for removal.

☆ Argentina monthly inflation seen hitting 8-month high 7.1% in March
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Hernan Nessi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The median forecast came from 15 analysts polled by Reuters, with estimates ranging from 6.4% to a maximum 7.4% monthly rise. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsAnalysts said the high inflation rate, expected to be just shy of a peak last July, was likely to persist as the government sought to spur grains sales by offering preferential exchange rates to soy exporters and other producers. Food rose slightly below overall inflation, Marini said. In February, Argentina registered monthly inflation of 6.6% and 12-month inflation of 102.5%, the highest in almost 32 years. "The first days of April show that this month's inflation is unlikely to fall below 6%," he said.

☆ Spring training roundup: Astros pound Cardinals 24-1
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Astros starter Jose Urquidy scattered four hits over four innings, allowing the lone run on a multiple-error play in the second that scored Oscar Mercado. Cardinals starter Jack Flaherty yielded six earned runs on four hits and three walks over 3 2/3 innings. Wil Myers hit an RBI double and Michael Siani added an RBI single for the Reds. Elehuris Montero hit his fifth homer of the spring, a two-run shot, and Brenton Doyle went 2-for-3 with an RBI triple for the Rockies. Padres starter Michael Wacha went five innings and yielded eight hits, two walks and four runs.

☆ Argentina inflation shoots past 100% for first time since 1991
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BUENOS AIRES, March 14 (Reuters) - Argentina's annual inflation rate shot past 100% in February, the country's statistics agency said on Tuesday, the first time it has reached triple digits since 1991 when the country was coming out of hyperinflation. The monthly rise on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) clocked in at 6.6% in the second month of the year, above analyst forecasts ahead of the release. Annual inflation registered at 102.5%, with year-to-date inflation at 13.1%. Reporting by Hernan Nessi and Walter Bianchi; Writing by Carolina PuliceOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Former Fox Executive Found Guilty in FIFA Bribery Scheme
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( James Fanelli | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Hernan Lopez is the former head of Fox International Channels, a subsidiary of 21st Century Fox. A New York federal jury found a former 21st Century Fox executive guilty of bribing FIFA officials for the broadcasting rights to lucrative soccer matches, but acquitted his former subordinate on the same charges. Hernan Lopez , the former head of subsidiary Fox International Channels, was convicted of conspiring to commit wire fraud and launder money, in a scheme to make tens of millions of dollars in illicit payments and kickbacks between 2000 and 2015 to South American soccer officials in exchange for the broadcasting rights to the region’s most popular club tournament, the Copa Libertadores, and other matches. His co-defendant, Carlos Martinez, was found not guilty of the two counts.

☆ Former Fox exec convicted in FIFA bribery case, other acquitted
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jurors found Hernan Lopez guilty but acquitted Carlos Martinez on the same charges. Martinez and Lopez denied wrongdoing. A lawyer for Burzaco denied those claims. Lawyers for Martinez and Lopez denied Burzaco's account and said their clients were unaware of his scheme. Prosecutors said Burzaco’s testimony was “devastating” and alleged that emails showed him discussing the bribes with Martinez and Lopez in coded terms.

The case stems from a sweeping probe of corruption in international soccer and its world governing body, FIFA. The government’s case hinges largely on the testimony of Argentine businessman Alejandro Burzaco, who has pleaded guilty to bribing soccer officials but has yet to be sentenced. Burzaco told jurors that Martinez and Lopez were aware of and approved the scheme, which he said they discussed during multiple meetings. Lawyers for Martinez and Lopez told jurors during closing arguments on Friday that their clients were unaware of Burzaco’s scheme. Prosecutors said Burzaco’s testimony was “devastating” and alleged that emails showed him discussing the bribes with Martinez and Lopez in coded terms.

March 3 (Reuters) - Lawyers for two former 21st Century Fox executives accused of bribing South American soccer officials assailed the credibility of the government’s star witness on Friday, as their seven-week trial draws to a close. Cooperating witness Alejandro Burzaco testified that his former business partners knew about and approved the bribes. The case is part of a sweeping corruption probe of global soccer and its governing body, FIFA. Full Play Group SA, a co-defendant in the case, is also accused of bribing soccer officials. The Argentina-based sports marketing company’s lawyers have argued bribery is an entrenched part of doing business in South America and therefore not fraudulent activity.

☆ Mexico's Televisa reaches $95 mln investor settlement over FIFA bribery role
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] The logo of broadcaster Televisa is seen outside its headquarters in Mexico City, Mexico, December 14, 2022. REUTERS/Raquel Cunha/File PhotoNEW YORK, March 1 (Reuters) - Grupo Televisa SAB (TLEVISACPO.MX) has reached a $95 million settlement to resolve a U.S. investor lawsuit accusing the Mexican broadcaster of bribing FIFA soccer officials to win rights to four World Cup tournaments. Investors said they suffered losses as the bribery became known during corruption trials in Brooklyn, New York, causing the ADR price to fall. Its law firm Boies, Schiller & Flexner may seek up to $28.5 million of the settlement in fees and $3.5 million for expenses. The case is In re Grupo Televisa Securities Litigation, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No.

Organizations: & $

☆ Former Fox execs conspired to bribe FIFA officials, prosecution witness says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Jack Queen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - An Argentine businessman testified on Wednesday that two former 21st Century Fox executives and a sports marketing company conspired with him to bribe South American soccer officials and secure lucrative broadcasting rights. FILE PHOTO: Businessman Alejandro Burzaco (R) of Argentina arrives at the Federal Court in Brooklyn, New York, September 18, 2015. Burzaco said that he, Lopez and Martinez collectively paid up to $32 million in bribes together. Full Play Group paid or committed to pay up to $90 million, he said. Lopez, Martinez and Full Play Group have pleaded not guilty to crimes including wire fraud and money laundering.

☆ Former Fox execs' FIFA case about 'corruption of international soccer,' prosecutor says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Jack Queen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The charges are part of a long-running corruption probe surrounding FIFA, the world governing body for soccer. "This case is about the corruption of international soccer," prosecutor Victor Zapana told jurors in opening statements, saying the alleged scheme funneled money that could have gone towards building stadiums and developing youth and women's leagues into the pockets of corrupt officials. An attorney for Full Play Group said the allegedly illicit payments were "expected, asked for and even demanded" by South American soccer officials. An attorney for Lopez told jurors his client was not aware of the bribes and immediately reported them to Fox upon learning of them. The charges are part of a sprawling FIFA corruption probe unveiled in May 2015.

Search resuls for: "Hernán"

25 mentions found