Stories for June 2016

Monday, June 27th 2016 - 06:53 UTC
Panama opens long-delayed US$ 4.5bn canal expansion: massive litigations looming

Panama opened the long-delayed US$5.4 billion expansion of its shipping canal amid cheering crowds on Sunday, despite looming economic uncertainty in the shipping industry and a heated battle over billions in cost overruns.
Monday, June 27th 2016 - 06:38 UTC
UK Labour party in disarray: fears or a party divide and great losses in the event of a snap election

United Kingdom Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said he will stand in any new leadership election following the resignations of a string of shadow cabinet colleagues. Shadow Commons leader Chris Bryant was the latest person to resign in protest at Corbyn's leadership over the EU referendum - and more are expected.
Monday, June 27th 2016 - 06:27 UTC
Rajoy wins Sunday elections, but Spain remains blocked; coalition talks begin Monday

The conservative Popular Party of Mariano Rajoy, Spain's caretaker prime minister, won the most votes in Spain’s repeat national elections on Sunday, while the Socialists held off a challenge from the Podemos Party to remain the largest left-wing formation. The fragmented result, however, did not settle who will form the country’s next government.
Saturday, June 25th 2016 - 21:29 UTC
Picasso's seminal cubist “Femme Assise” auctioned at £ 43.2 million in London

“Femme Assise” (1909), one of Pablo Picasso's earliest Cubist paintings, has sold for £43.2 million (US$63.4 million) at a Sotheby's London auction. Described by Sotheby's as “the greatest Cubist painting to come to the market in decades,” it has broken the record for the highest price for a cubist work at any auction.
Saturday, June 25th 2016 - 20:30 UTC
Beijing sinking because of excessive pumping of groundwater: 11cms per year

China’s capital is known for its horrendous smog and occasional sandstorms. Yet one of its major environmental threats lies underground: Beijing is sinking. Excessive pumping of groundwater is causing the geology under the city to collapse, according to a new study using satellite imagery that reveals parts of Beijing – particularly its central business district – are subsiding each year by as much as 11 centimeters.
Saturday, June 25th 2016 - 11:59 UTC
Corbyn's leadership questioned: Labour MPs submit no confidence motion

A motion of no confidence in Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has been submitted by two Labour MPs. Dame Margaret Hodge has submitted a motion - seconded by backbencher Ann Coffey - to the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP), her office said.
Saturday, June 25th 2016 - 11:52 UTC
Northern Ireland calls for a referendum on a united Ireland

Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness called for a referendum on a united Ireland shortly after the UK voted to leave the European Union.
Saturday, June 25th 2016 - 11:34 UTC
Ambassador Lyster-Binns confident the UK economy is large and strong

United Kingdom´s Leave victory did not come as a great surprise, since the race was too tight, but that was the decision of the people and the economy is large and strong, admitted British ambassador in Uruguay, Ben Lyster-Binns, in a television interview.
Saturday, June 25th 2016 - 11:29 UTC
UK´s Leave vote is of great concern for Argentina, admits Malcorra

The exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union is of most concern to the administration of Argentine president Mauricio Macri, said foreign minister Susana Malcorra. “It is a shock for world institutions”, but it's too early to gauge the impact on the Falklands/Malvinas discussions.
Saturday, June 25th 2016 - 11:08 UTC
Falklands/Malvinas discussions with Argentina 'more complicated' because of 'British nationalism' resurgence

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange anticipated that the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union will further complicate negotiations with Argentina regarding the Falklands/Malvinas sovereignty dispute because of a “resurgence” of what he described as British nationalism.