Stories for June 20th 2015

Saturday, June 20th 2015 - 09:16 UTC
Buenos Aires/Moscow close ties are “a fact, not a wish”, says Argentine minister Kicillof

Argentine Economy Minister Axel Kicillof speaking from Moscow said ties between Buenos Aires and Russia were “a fact, not a wish” praising the bilateral “natural understanding” and “complementation”, achieved by the two partners in economic, energy and trade affairs.
Saturday, June 20th 2015 - 09:06 UTC
Brazil' economic activity further contracts in April as confidence dwindles

Economic activity in Brazil fell sharply in April from March, worse than already negative market estimates and showing still more evidence the once-booming economy is heading toward a recession.
Saturday, June 20th 2015 - 08:59 UTC
US Lower House approves controversial trade bill: Senate next hurdle

The United States House of Representatives approved a controversial trade bill backed by President Obama, just a week after Democrats voted it down. The bill gives the president the right to negotiate global trade deals, with Congress only able to approve or reject a deal but not change it.
Saturday, June 20th 2015 - 08:47 UTC
Earth in new period of extinction: vertebrates, including humans, among first casualties

The Earth has entered a new period of extinction, a study by three US universities has concluded, and humans could be among the first casualties. The report, led by the universities of Stanford, Princeton and Berkeley, said vertebrates were disappearing at a rate 114 times faster than normal.
Saturday, June 20th 2015 - 08:38 UTC
Venezuelan lawmakers blast Brazilian senators' trip as 'abusive and meddling'

Venezuela's ruling Socialist Party legislators reacted to a trip by Brazilian senators to visit jailed opponents of President Nicolas Maduro by describing it as “abusive” and “meddling”. The Brazilian delegation's visit on Thursday was cut short after their minibus was stoned by Maduro supporters and roads were blocked, forcing them to return to the airport and fly back the same day.
Saturday, June 20th 2015 - 08:23 UTC
Brazil's top two construction tycoons arrested in connection to Petrobras case

Brazilian police arrested on Friday Marcelo Odebrecht, the head of Latin America's largest engineering and construction company Odebrecht SA, ensnaring the most high-profile executive to date in the corruption investigation at state-run oil firm Petrobras.
Saturday, June 20th 2015 - 00:37 UTC
Francis calls on swift global action to confront environmental degradation

Argentine Pope Francis called on Thursday for a radical transformation of politics, economics and individual lifestyles to confront environmental degradation and climate change, blending a biting critique of consumerism and irresponsible development with a plea for swift and unified global action.
Saturday, June 20th 2015 - 00:24 UTC
Obama and Democrats support Pope's climate message, but Republicans dissented

The Obama administration and congressional Democrats welcomed Pope Francis' call for sweeping action against climate change Thursday, but the pontiff's message was swiftly dismissed by GOP lawmakers.
Saturday, June 20th 2015 - 00:14 UTC
Argentine congress members in Paris investigating HSBC with whistleblowers

Members of the Argentina's congressional bicameral commission investigating HSBC alleged illegal scheme to help Argentines evade taxes and siphon money out of the country, met in Paris with a group of French legislators and with UBS whistleblower Stéphanie Gibaud.
Saturday, June 20th 2015 - 00:08 UTC
Less millionaires in Latin America because of the fall in commodities' prices

Latin America posted a decrease in high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) as falling commodity prices affect the continent’s economies, especially Brazil which accounts for more than 50% of Latin America’s HNWI wealth.