Stories for January 28th 2016

Thursday, January 28th 2016 - 07:14 UTC
Petrobras scandal leads to real estate transactions investigation

Brazilian police and prosecutors said Wednesday that as part of their investigation into a massive corruption scheme centered on Petrobras they were looking into whether some of the money diverted from the state-controlled oil company was laundered through real-estate transactions coordinated by a Panamanian-based law firm.
Thursday, January 28th 2016 - 06:49 UTC
Brazil expected to announce massive injection of loans to revive the economy

Brazil’s Finance Minister Nelson Barbosa is expected to announce as much as 60bn Reais (US$15bn) in loans as the government seeks to revive growth amid the worst economic downturn in over a century.
Thursday, January 28th 2016 - 06:41 UTC
Fed leaves rate unchanged and is “closely monitoring global economic and financial developments”

The United States Federal Reserve said it was “closely monitoring” global economic conditions, but would not raise interest rates in a decision widely expected by most analysts. The central bank said US economic growth had slowed as exports fell because of the strengthening dollar.
Thursday, January 28th 2016 - 06:28 UTC
Guanabara Bay pollution at the heart of Olympics sailing competition controversy

The former CEO of World Sailing says he was fired for pushing to get rid of polluted Guanabara Bay as the sailing venue for this year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Peter Sowrey tried to change the venue, or at least have a “B plan” but says “I was told to gag myself on the subject.”
Thursday, January 28th 2016 - 06:19 UTC
Iran says economic growth crucial to defeating extremism in the Middle East

Generating economic growth in the Middle East is crucial to defeating extremism, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said putting forward his country as a regional trade hub and pillar of stability. Rouhani is on a four-day trip to Italy and France, looking to rebuild Iranian relations with the West some two weeks after financial sanctions on Tehran were rolled back following the implementation of its nuclear deal with world powers.
Thursday, January 28th 2016 - 06:02 UTC
HMS Protector in New Zealand as part of her Southern Ocean patrol

HMS Protector has arrived in Christchurch, New Zealand, as part of her historic Southern Ocean patrol. The arrival of the specialist ice patrol ship marks the close cooperation that exists between the UK and New Zealand in upholding the conservation rules of the Antarctic Treaty System and to protect the Southern Ocean from illegal fishing activities.
Thursday, January 28th 2016 - 05:50 UTC
Airlines offering refunds to passengers booked to fly to countries with Zika cases

Some airlines, including those serving the Caribbean, have started offering refunds to passengers who had been booked to fly to countries where cases of the Zika virus have been confirmed. United Airlines, American Airlines and British Airways are allowing passengers to back out of travel.
Thursday, January 28th 2016 - 05:40 UTC
Falklands' veteran ex HMS Hermes to decommissioned by Indian Navy

Aircraft carrier from Portsmouth that fought in the Falklands War is making her final journey before being decommissioned after almost 60 years of active service. HMS Hermes served with distinction in the conflict against Argentina in 1982 before being sold to the Indian Navy and renamed INS Viraat.
Thursday, January 28th 2016 - 05:21 UTC
Argentine ex Army commander praises Macri/Cameron dialogue: what matters is getting started

A former commander of the Argentine Army and Malvinas war veteran Martin Balza praised the recent meeting of President Mauricio Macri with UK Prime Minister David Cameron arguing that whatever is done to advance a serious, respectful, mature dialogue must be welcomed; “there won't be immediate results from that dialogue, but this is like a marathon, what matters are the first steps”.