Stories for October 2016

Friday, October 14th 2016 - 09:17 UTC
EU-Mercosur trade deal within two years, followed by negotiations with UK

The European Union and Mercosur could strike a free trade deal within two years, according to Argentina’s Commerce Secretary Miguel Braun. After Brexit, Mercosur would be open to a separate trade deal with the UK. Trade negotiations between the EU and Mercosur nations are still on track, despite the UK’s decision to leave the bloc and uncertainty over the future of the EU’s other major trade agreements – TTIP and CETA.
Friday, October 14th 2016 - 06:40 UTC
Rajoy and May held a productive meeting with strong message to Scotland

Gibraltar was touched on fleetingly during the meeting between Prime Minister Theresa May and her caretaker Spanish counterpart, Mariano Rajoy, in Madrid. A Spanish wire report quoted anonymous sources in the Spanish Government saying that Rajoy had set out the Spanish position during a wider discussion on Brexit.
Friday, October 14th 2016 - 05:48 UTC
Falklands considers air link with Brazil including a monthly stopover in Argentina

“Is a monthly stopover in Argentina too high a price to pay for a direct weekly flight to Sao Paulo, the biggest flight hub in South America,” is the question we all have to ask ourselves, said lawmaker MLA Mike Summers this week as he set out the situation and options available to progress and develop the Falkland Islands’ economy.
Thursday, October 13th 2016 - 21:11 UTC
Travelers shocked at UK airports: £=€ 99 cents; Lord King says “weak pound is positive”

Many travelers buying foreign currency at the UK's airports are now receiving less than one Euro to the pound, reports the BBC. The continued fall in sterling's value means that the average rate available at 17 airport bureaux de change is now just 99 euro cents to the pound. The worst rate is currently 88 Euro cents at Moneycorp at Southampton airport and the best is €1.06 from the Change Group at Glasgow Prestwick.
Thursday, October 13th 2016 - 14:52 UTC
Latin America and Caribbean will suffer 0.9% contraction this year but growth will reach 1.5% in 2017

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has revised its economic growth projections for the region and now expects a 0.9% average contraction for Latin America and the Caribbean this year. Economic activity is expected to pick up in 2017 with average growth of 1.5%, according to a press release by the United Nations agency.
Thursday, October 13th 2016 - 14:47 UTC
Wells Fargo bank accounts' scandal leads to a major reshuffle

Wells Fargo & Co's veteran chairman and chief executive officer, John Stumpf, abruptly departed on Wednesday bowing to pressure over its sales tactics that has damaged the bank's reputation and put Wall Street under renewed scrutiny. San Francisco-based Wells Fargo said Stumpf, 63, was retiring and would be replaced as chief executive by President and Chief Operating Officer Tim Sloan, 56.
Thursday, October 13th 2016 - 10:19 UTC
WHO proposes taxing sugary drinks to reduce obesity, diabetes and tooth decay

Taxing sugary drinks can lower consumption and reduce obesity, type 2 diabetes and tooth decay, says a new WHO report. Fiscal policies that lead to at least a 20% increase in the retail price of sugary drinks would result in proportional reductions in consumption of such products, according to the report titled “Fiscal policies for Diet and Prevention of No communicable Diseases (NCDs)”.
Thursday, October 13th 2016 - 10:13 UTC
Petrobras no longer an arm of government to control inflation, pledges CEO

Petrobras is reading to announce a domestic fuel policy that will avert costly subsidies that drained profits during Brazil’s previous government, Chief Executive Officer Pedro Parente said in an interview. For years fuel prices were manipulated as part of the government's policy to keep inflation under control.
Thursday, October 13th 2016 - 10:05 UTC
Ushuaia celebrates 132th anniversary with a jumbo paella for 12.000 people

Ushuaia in the extreme south of Argentina and capital of Tierra del Fuego province celebrated on 12 October the 132th anniversary of its foundation with several activities including a jumbo popular paella for 12.000 people. The gastronomic display was sponsored by city authorities and New San, a maquila group which assembles electronic products in Tierra del Fuego under a promotion system implemented by Buenos Aires.
Thursday, October 13th 2016 - 09:41 UTC
Gibraltar attends SNP conference in Glasgow: shares Brexit concerns

Gibraltar's Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia is in Scotland to attend the conference of the Scottish National Party (SNP). The event opened in Glasgow on Wednesday and this is the first time that Gibraltar will have an exhibition stand. It is also the first time that the Gibraltar Government will host an official reception.