Stories for December 17th 2015

Thursday, December 17th 2015 - 10:14 UTC
Thatcher's possessions raised US$ 5m; ministerial box auctioned for £242,500

The sale of late British leader Margaret Thatcher's possessions has raised £3.3 million ($5 million), auction house Christie's said on Tuesday. A model of an American bald eagle given to Thatcher by close ally and former US president Ronald Reagan fetched the highest price for an individual item at £266,500 after a flurry of bidding in person, online and by phone.
Thursday, December 17th 2015 - 08:02 UTC
Brazil's prosecutor asks Justices to strip Lower House speaker of his seat

Brazil's attorney general went to the Supreme Court on Wednesday seeking to strip the leader of the House of Deputies of his seat. House Speaker Eduardo Cunha is the nemesis of embattled and unpopular President Dilma Rousseff — and earlier this month opened the door to begin impeachment proceedings against her.
Thursday, December 17th 2015 - 07:56 UTC
Fitch downgrades Brazilian bonds to junk; investors could dispose of 20bn in debt

Fitch Ratings downgraded Brazil government bonds to junk on Wednesday, citing rising concerns about an economic and political crisis that threatens to push President Dilma Rousseff from office and scuttle efforts to close a gaping fiscal deficit.
Thursday, December 17th 2015 - 07:46 UTC
Major WTO deal cuts tariffs on information technology products

More than 50 members of the World Trade Organization signed an agreement on Wednesday to remove import tariffs on 201 information technology products, marking the first major global tariff-cutting deal in 19 years.
Thursday, December 17th 2015 - 07:33 UTC
Congress/Obama deal includes voting for the long stalled IMF quota reforms

The United States Congress has taken a step closer to granting long-awaited approval to reforms of the International Monetary Fund that would give China and other emerging economies a greater voice in shaping the institution's policies.
Thursday, December 17th 2015 - 07:25 UTC
Argentina recalls UN Resolution 2065 fiftieth anniversary and renews call for Falklands' negotiations

Argentina's Foreign ministry recalled that on 16 December the country commemorates the 50th anniversary of UN General Assembly Resolution 2065, the first referred to the question of the Malvinas Islands.
Thursday, December 17th 2015 - 06:50 UTC
Argentina lifts foreign currency controls and let's Peso float, as of Thursday

Argentina announced on Wednesday it was lifting currency controls and would allow the peso to float when markets open on Thursday, setting the stage for a devaluation, following pledges by new president Mauricio Macri for reforms to spur economic growth.
Thursday, December 17th 2015 - 03:53 UTC
Brazil Justices delay until Thursday decision on impeachment procedure against president Rousseff

Brazil's Supreme Court delayed until Thursday a crucial decision related to a procedural question in a case that could lead to President Dilma Rousseff's impeachment. The decision, originally scheduled for Wednesday, was postponed after the court ran out of time. “Tomorrow we'll stay as long as necessary,” said Chief Justice Ricardo Lewandowski.
Thursday, December 17th 2015 - 03:40 UTC
Fed hikes rate to 0.25% in unanimous decision; positive reaction from markets

The United States Federal Reserve on Wednesday delivered its first interest rate hike since 2006, with the decision a unanimous one. The central bank raised its key federal funds rate to 0.25%, up from at or near zero percent for the last seven years.