Stories for October 2016

Tuesday, October 25th 2016 - 10:29 UTC
Macri and Vazquez agree that the trade approach to China should be done from Mercosur

Argentine president Mauricio Macri promised his Uruguayan peer Tabare Vazquez to look into the draft of a Uruguay/China free trade deal, and expressed their deep concern about political events in Venezuela suggesting that under the current circumstances the Nicolas Maduro government cannot be considered a member of Mercosur.
Tuesday, October 25th 2016 - 09:07 UTC
Petrobras and Total reach strategic alliance for upstream and downstream projects

Brazil's Petrobras and France's Total oil companies announced on Monday a strategic alliance Monday for upstream and downstream projects as President Michel Temer pronounced Brazil's troubled economy reopened for business.
Tuesday, October 25th 2016 - 08:46 UTC
Ban Ki-moon´s last UN Day speech; Guterres takes over next January

In his last United Nations Day message as Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon recognized the efforts of courageous UN staff members who are on the frontlines of disaster and violence and continue to respond to the plight of the vulnerable people across the world.
Tuesday, October 25th 2016 - 08:29 UTC
Ex president Jorge Batlle, son of one of the most influential political families in Uruguay has died

Former President Jorge Batlle, an extroverted and irreverent politician who was a force in Uruguayan politics for half a century and led it during one of its worst economic recessions, died on Monday.
Monday, October 24th 2016 - 22:42 UTC
Japan and South Atlantic sanctuary main contentions at the Whaling Commission meeting in Slovenia

Representatives from more than 80 nations will square off in Slovenia this week over the fate of the world’s remaining whales as hunters, ship strikes and fishing gear threaten their survival. The stage is set for heated debate, as the 88 members of the International Whaling Commission are deeply divided along pro- and anti-hunting lines.
Monday, October 24th 2016 - 18:11 UTC
First Mercosur test for Uruguay´s free trade agreement negotiations with China

Uruguay and Argentina, and their cabinets will be meeting this Monday in Buenos Aires to address a bilateral agenda, which was agreed long before hand, but the real issue will not necessarily be trade, dredging canals, pulp mills, customs or facilitating people's movement, but rather the negotiations for a free trade agreement which supposedly Uruguay is about to begin discussing with China.
Monday, October 24th 2016 - 17:55 UTC
Brazil congressional police arrested accused of obstruction of justice

Authorities say they have arrested four Congressional police agents posted inside Brazil's Senate for allegedly obstructing an investigation into lawmakers' suspected involvement in the corruption-kickback scheme at state-owned oil company Petrobras. Federal police said in a statement that those arrested Friday include Pedro Carvalho, head of the Senate police, which is a distinct agency.
Monday, October 24th 2016 - 17:43 UTC
Billions pour in to buy Argentine bonds, “sign of growing investor confidence”

Argentina’s international currency reserves rose above the landmark US$40 billion for the first time in three and a half years last Friday, as a huge inflow of dollars from government-issued debt and some exports over the last few days caused some dramatic increases this week. The milestone, according to Central Bank chief Federico Sturzenegger, was “a sign of growing investor confidence in the country.”
Monday, October 24th 2016 - 11:51 UTC
Spaniards flock to Gibraltar for shopping taking advantage of the weak pound

The fall in the pound has boosted trade in Gibraltar as neighbouring Spaniards flock to the Rock territory where their Euros buy them more, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has said. Gibraltar’s stores and supermarkets are filled with Spanish people picking up their weekly shop.
Monday, October 24th 2016 - 11:42 UTC
Catholic Church and Macri have a 'mature relation of autonomy and cooperation'

The relation between the Catholic church and the administration of president Mauricio Macri is “a mature relation” and “links are as they should be”, and this is based on “autonomy and cooperation which is good for both sides”, according to Monsignor Jose Maria Arancedo, head of the Argentine Episcopal Conference, CEA.