Stories for September 2015

Tuesday, September 22nd 2015 - 07:40 UTC
Brazil/Israel spat over ambassador candidate, spearhead of settlements in the West Bank

Israeli Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Hotovely defended the appointment of former settlements' department director, Dani Dayan, as the Jewish state's ambassador in Brazil, after it was rejected by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.
Tuesday, September 22nd 2015 - 07:15 UTC
Which lawmakers from the Pacific Alliance are paid the most?

Of all four Pacific Alliance countries, Colombia spends most on its congressional representatives, despite the South American country’s low wages. According to a report published on Monday by economic newspaper La Republica, the state pays Colombia’s congressmen a total of nearly $2.1 million per month in salaries, almost double the total of Chile, whose congressmen have the highest individual salaries, but in total cost the state $1.2 million per month.
Tuesday, September 22nd 2015 - 06:56 UTC
Chile suffers 6.5 magnitude aftershock rattling Santiago buildings

A fresh 6.5 magnitude aftershock struck central Chile on Monday, rattling buildings in Chile's capital city Santiago, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. An 8.3 magnitude earthquake and a tsunami hit Chile's port city of Coquimbo last Wednesday, killing 13 people.
Tuesday, September 22nd 2015 - 06:49 UTC
Brazil's Real at almost four to the US dollar; 70% weaker in the last 12 months

Brazil’s currency closed on Monday at the weakest level ever against the dollar as raging economic and political situations increased uncertainty and the odds of the country losing its investment-grade credit rating from yet another ratings company, which could be catastrophic.
Tuesday, September 22nd 2015 - 06:37 UTC
VW shares plunge 20% following emissions' scandal; fines could reach 18bn dollars

Shares in German auto giant Volkswagen (VW) fell more than 20% in morning trading at the Frankfurt stock exchange on Monday in reaction to revelations that some of its diesel cars in the United States had been fitted with software that gave false emissions data.
Tuesday, September 22nd 2015 - 06:02 UTC
The British Pavilion at the Expo Prado 2015: Best in Show

More than 75,000 people visited the British Pavilion at the Expo Prado 2015 -the largest agro-industrial exhibition in Uruguay. The Pavilion was awarded first prize in the category “Best Embassy and Chamber of Commerce Pavilion” by the Uruguayan Rural Association, organisers of the Expo.
Tuesday, September 22nd 2015 - 05:52 UTC
Argentina: Double celebration for Kirchnerism, in Chaco and Tucuman provinces

Double victory for Cristina Fernandez and the 'Kirchnerite' model: her candidates won the governorship in the northern province of Chaco and the Tucuman Supreme Court validated the result which confirmed that former Healthcare minister Juan Manzur last 23 August was the clear winner and the next governor of the province.
Monday, September 21st 2015 - 08:34 UTC
Argentina's top Electoral Court announces measures or ensure transparency

After considering the proposals made by opposition parties and NGOs, and “irregularities” during the recent election for governor in the province of Tucumán, Argentina's top electoral court has announced more than 20 measures aimed at reinforcing the transparency of the October 25 general elections.
Monday, September 21st 2015 - 08:19 UTC
Barrick Gold cyanide spill in Argentine mine analyzed by UN team of experts

A group of United Nations experts have started to analyze water samples in the Argentine northeastern province of San Juan where a spill from a malfunctioning cyanide pipeline in a gold mine belonging to Canada's multinational Barrick Gold has caused a water emergency. The Veladero mine in San Juan is one of the largest in Argentina and apparently the spill reached the rivers Jachal, Las Taguas and Blanco.
Monday, September 21st 2015 - 08:07 UTC
Francis meets Fidel Castro and warns Cubans of the dangers of ideology

Pope Francis met Cuba's revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on Sunday hours after warning Cubans to beware the dangers of ideology and the lure of selfishness as the island enters a new era of closer ties with the United States. Latin America's first pope and Castro, the region's last surviving revolutionary icon of the 20th century, discussed religion and world affairs at the home of the 89-year-old retired president for about 40 minutes.