Stories for December 1st 2015

Tuesday, December 1st 2015 - 08:19 UTC
Spanish minister anticipates 'spectacular' relationship with Macri government

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel García-Margallo became on Sunday the first foreign official to be received by president-elect Mauricio Macri after he won the November 22 runoff election, and announced a new 'spectacular' era is beginning in Madrid’s relations with Argentina.
Tuesday, December 1st 2015 - 08:15 UTC
“Christians and Muslims are brothers and sisters” Francis tells Africans ravaged by sectarian conflict

Pope Francis on Monday said Christians and Muslims were “brothers” and urged them to reject hatred and violence as he visited a mosque in the Central African Republic's capital which has been ravaged by sectarian conflict.
Tuesday, December 1st 2015 - 08:11 UTC
India outpaces China in economic growth boosted by domestic demand and manufacturing

India's economic growth picked up in July-September, outpacing China on improving domestic demand and manufacturing activity, and the acceleration could persuade the country's central bank to keep interest rates unchanged at its Tuesday meeting.
Tuesday, December 1st 2015 - 08:01 UTC
Venezuelan Defense minister denies any coup, 'self-coup' or civilian-military junta

The Venezuelan government sought Monday to downplay security fears around the country's upcoming legislative elections, rejecting the possibility of violence or a coup. With polls showing President Nicolas Maduro's populist movement on track for a landmark defeat by the opposition in Sunday's vote, speculation and rumors have swirled about possible violence or moves by the ruling party to cling to power.
Tuesday, December 1st 2015 - 07:53 UTC
Yuan joins the exclusive club of IMF's basket of reserve currencies

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced that China's currency, the Yuan, will join the fund's basket of reserve currencies. Currently just the US dollar, the euro, the yen and the pound are in the group.
Tuesday, December 1st 2015 - 07:45 UTC
Brazil on alert on possible link between Zika virus and micro-cephalic babies

Brazilian health authorities, who alerted the nation Monday to the rapid spread of the Zika virus, confirmed that up to now it has caused one death and that another six victims are in critical condition and under medical examination.
Tuesday, December 1st 2015 - 07:40 UTC
Macri's victory was narrower than expected, according to the final vote count

Argentina’s conservative, business-friendly president-elect Mauricio Macri won the presidential election earlier this month with 51.34% of the vote, according to final results released Monday. His rival, incumbent Daniel Scioli, finished with 48.66% percent, said the head of the national electoral authority, Alejandro Tullio.
Tuesday, December 1st 2015 - 07:35 UTC
Brazil's economy expected to further contract, according to the Central bank

Analysts expect Brazil's economy to contract by 3.19% this year, with inflation hitting 10.38%, the Central Bank said Monday. GDP and inflation estimates come from the Boletin Focus, a weekly Central Bank survey of analysts from about 100 private financial institutions on the state of the national economy.
Tuesday, December 1st 2015 - 07:32 UTC
Petrobras board chairman resigns; apparent disagreements with CEO Bendine

Murilo Ferreira has resigned as chairman of Brazilian state oil company Petrobras, the firm said Monday. Ferreira, the CEO of mining giant Vale, took a leave of absence in September and Luiz Nelson Guedes de Carvalho, who has served as interim chairman since then, will continue in that role for the moment, the company said in a brief statement.
Tuesday, December 1st 2015 - 07:26 UTC
Macri's assets in a blind trust; the elected president reiterates pledge to combat corruption

Argentine President-elect Mauricio Macri said in a television interview that he would place his assets in a blind trust after being sworn in on Dec. 10. Macri also reiterated his commitment to combat corruption and said he would turn any official suspected of corruption over to judicial authorities.