Stories for November 30th 2016

Wednesday, November 30th 2016 - 12:04 UTC
Putin an “emblem of struggle for the mutlipolar world,” says Maduro

“Putin's victories are our victories,” Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro told Russia's State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin on Tuesday during funerary ceremonies in Havana to mark the passing away of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
Wednesday, November 30th 2016 - 11:16 UTC
Partial ban on burqa wearing in public sees first green light in Netherlands Parliament

Members of Parliament on Tuesday voted to ban the Islamic full-face burqa from public places in The Netherlands, such as schools, hospitals and public transport. It was the latest such move in a European country.
Wednesday, November 30th 2016 - 11:08 UTC
University of Sao Paulo targets the Moon for 2020

According to a project announced Tuesday by the University of São Paulo, Brazil plans to launch its first mission to the moon in December 2020 with a nanosatellite to orbit the star to the effects of the space environment on different life forms.
Wednesday, November 30th 2016 - 10:55 UTC
Peruvian ex First Lady must face charges before taking job as FAO representative

The United Nations has postponed the promotion of former Peruvian first lady Nadine Heredia to a key post in the Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO, in Geneva amid a money laundering investigation. The Judicial branch of Peru ordered Heredia to return to the country within 10 days after she left for Switzerland for several days to begin her role as the FAO's Geneva director.
Wednesday, November 30th 2016 - 10:49 UTC
Maduro's Bolivar devalued 60% in November: 3,684 Bolivares to one US dollar

Leaders of the Venezuelan opposition have blamed President Nicolas Maduro's regime of causing the Bolivar to devalue to unprecedented levels against the U.S. dollar. According to data provided by the currency tracking website DolarToday, the Venezuelan Bolivar fell this week to an all-time low against the U.S. dollar in the black market.
Wednesday, November 30th 2016 - 10:39 UTC
Massive violent protests against Brazilian congress discussing austerity bill

Thousands of people gathered on Tuesday in Brasilia outside Brazil's Congress to protest against the austerity plan of President Michel Temer and against what they see as attempts to shield corrupt politicians. Student groups and labor unions organized the demonstration to coincide with a debate in the Senate on Temer's proposal for a constitutional amendment that would cap public spending for 20 years.
Wednesday, November 30th 2016 - 10:14 UTC
Brazil economic outlook lowered according to Central bank survey

Economists again lowered their outlook for Brazil's economic performance in 2016 and 2017, as the effects of a deep recession persist in Latin America's largest economy.
Wednesday, November 30th 2016 - 09:54 UTC
“A little piece of the Malvinas” and Falklands' berries for Pope Francis

An Argentine teacher and runner who has competed three times in the annual Falklands marathon met last week Pope Francis, in Rome, and handed him a “little piece of the Falklands” and some of the berries that the Argentine soldiers had to eat during their time in the 1982 conflict.
Wednesday, November 30th 2016 - 09:31 UTC
Temer signs bill that opens sub-salt oil deposits to private the sector

Brazilian president Michel Temer signed legislation on Tuesday which opens the way for oil companies other than state-controlled Petrobras to operate the coveted sub-salt acreage. The bill repeals a controversial 2010 rule that requires Petrobras to hold a minimum 30% operating stake in assets governed by production-sharing contracts, mainly sub-salt assets.