Stories for October 2015

Saturday, October 17th 2015 - 06:30 UTC
Lula da Silva questioned for 90 minutes on allegations of influence peddling

Brazilian ex-President Lula da Silva, who allegedly used his influence to aid a leading domestic engineering group after leaving office, voluntarily testified on Thursday before federal prosecutors during an hour and a half, his foundation said.
Saturday, October 17th 2015 - 06:24 UTC
Brazil's Finance Levy minister “has not resigned and will stay in his post”

Finance Minister Joaquim Levy has not resigned and will stay in his post, Brazil's government said on Friday, denying a media report that he planned to step down in a dispute over austerity measures. A finance ministry spokeswoman told reporters that Levy “continues to work and is committed to improve the country's future.”
Friday, October 16th 2015 - 12:00 UTC
Communist-ruled China has more billionaires that United States

The number of billionaires in China has overtaken that of the United States for the first time, an annual survey said on Thursday, calling it a “turning point” for the super-wealthy. Communist-ruled China now has 596 billionaires, up a “staggering” 242 over the last year, Shanghai-based luxury magazine publisher Hurun Report said, surpassing the 537 Americans.
Friday, October 16th 2015 - 11:54 UTC
Jordan's Prince Ali Bin Hussein submits candidacy for FIFA's presidency

Days before an emergency FIFA ExCo meeting, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein has submitted his candidacy for the presidency vowing to restore the governing body’s battered reputation. In compliance with electoral regulations, the Jordanian has the backing of five national associations, although he didn’t name them.
Friday, October 16th 2015 - 08:34 UTC
Uruguay voted in as non permanent member of UN Security Council

In one round of voting the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday elected Egypt, Japan, Senegal, Ukraine and Uruguay to serve as non-permanent members on the Security Council for two-year terms beginning on 1 January 2016.
Friday, October 16th 2015 - 08:19 UTC
Argentina's Supreme Court issues international arrest warrants for Hezbollah members

Argentina's Supreme Court of Justice issued on Thursday an international arrest warrant against Hussein Mohamad Ibrahim Suleiman, who is being investigated for his involvement in the 1992 attack against the Embassy of Israel in Buenos Aires, which killed 29 people and injured more than 200.
Friday, October 16th 2015 - 08:03 UTC
World's commercial fleet with lowest annual growth in a decade during 2014, says UNCTAD

The world's commercial fleet grew by 3.5% during the 12 months to Jan 1, 2015, the lowest annual growth rate in over a decade, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reveals in its Review of Maritime Transport 2015.
Friday, October 16th 2015 - 07:53 UTC
Argentine Parlasur members will have immunity limited to their opinions

Argentine elected members to the Mercosur parliament, Parlasur will not have immunity from imprisonment, according to a ruling from the country's Electoral Chamber. This means those Argentine candidates elected to the regional parliament on 25 October will only have immunity for their opinions while exercising their posts.
Friday, October 16th 2015 - 07:43 UTC
Fitch cuts Brazil's credit rating to the brink of junk; “terrible” news says government

Fitch Ratings cut Brazil's credit rating to the brink of junk, warning the country could soon lose its coveted investment grade rating as government finances deteriorate amid a prolonged recession and persistent political uncertainty.
Friday, October 16th 2015 - 07:35 UTC
Petrobras strikes further discovery at giant pre-salt Libra field in Santos basin

Petrobras announced a further hydrocarbon discovery at the giant pre-salt Libra field in the Santos basin, offshore Brazil. The company said that well 3-BRSA-1310-RJS, in the central portion of the block, identified the presence of hydrocarbons in a low-porosity reservoir. This is the fourth well drilled in the Libra area since exploratory drilling began last August.