Stories for December 23rd 2016

Friday, December 23rd 2016 - 15:23 UTC
Anis Amri shot dead by Italian police

The Tunisian suspect who quickly became Europe's most wanted alleged criminal for his involvement in Monday's lorry jihadist attack against a Christmas market in Berlin, was killed Friday in a shootout with the police in Milan, the Italian interior minister has confirmed.
Friday, December 23rd 2016 - 05:42 UTC
China ready to work with Argentina as Supreme Court halts constructions of two dams

China is ready to to join forces with Argentina after the construction of two hydroelectric dams in the province of Santa Cruz was put on hold by the Supreme Court over environmental concerns, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
Friday, December 23rd 2016 - 05:24 UTC
Aleppo under total Syrian control

The last buses that took part in the evacuation of residents from eastern Aleppo finally left the city late on Thursday night after long delays due to extremely cold weather, as Syria's industrial capital was completely in the hands of President Bashar al-Assad's forces for the first time since 2012, it was reported.
Friday, December 23rd 2016 - 04:50 UTC
Known Tunisian jihadist main suspect in Berlin lorry attack

After it became clear that the main suspect of driving the lorry that killed 11 people Monday in a Christmas market in Berlin was a 24-year-old Tunisian with a criminal record as a jihadist, Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her hopes that the alleged perpetrator, currently at large, is brought to justice as soon as possible.
Friday, December 23rd 2016 - 04:03 UTC
Falklands' Chamber of Commerce: second flight desperately required

The Falkland Islands Chamber of Commerce underlined its support for a second flight to the South American continent, and its significance for the development of business and all sectors of the economy. Stacy Bragger, Executive Secretary of the Chamber had a letter published in this week's Penguin News.
Friday, December 23rd 2016 - 03:20 UTC
UK resolutely committed to Falklands' self determination; better relations with Argentina is in everyone's interests

The United Kingdom is resolutely committed to the Islanders right to self determination assured the Prime Minister Theresa May in her Christmas message to the Falklands. Mrs. May also pointed out that a better relationship with Argentina is in everyone’s interests, and in time, this should reap the rewards through benefits to the Islands' economy, improving trade and tourism, and developing the hydrocarbons and fisheries industries.<br /><br />
The full message from Mrs. May published in this week's Penguin News, follows:
Friday, December 23rd 2016 - 02:06 UTC
Argentine lemons re-entry spark protests from California citrus growers

Sparking protest from California citrus leaders, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has ruled that fresh lemons from Argentina will be allowed to be imported into the U.S. The rule is the result of ten years of study on pest risks associated with Argentina lemons, according to the USDA. A proposal to allow Argentina lemon imports was published in May this year and received more than 400 comments.
Friday, December 23rd 2016 - 01:46 UTC
Brazil's Odebrecht breaks another penalty record, this time in US court: US$ 3.5bn

Brazil's construction colossus Odebrecht and affiliated petrochemical company Braskem SA agreed on Wednesday in New York to pay at least US$3.5 billion, the largest penalty ever in a foreign bribery case, to resolve international charges involving payoffs to Brazil's state oil company and others.
Friday, December 23rd 2016 - 01:27 UTC
Extreme right in Europe target Merkel's refugees policy for the Berlin truck attack

Germany’s anti-immigrant party led a populist chorus from around Europe in pinning the blame for the Berlin truck attack on the policies of Angela Merkel. The Chancellor's acceptance of more than a million Middle Eastern refugees last year set the scene for an Islamist massacre on German soil, Alternative for Germany (AfD) claimed.
Friday, December 23rd 2016 - 01:07 UTC
Russia, Iran and Turkey work on a deal to end Syrian civil war and fight terrorism

Russia, Iran and Turkey agree that the priority in Syria is fighting “terrorism” and not the removal of Bashar al-Assad, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters after a tripartite summit on Tuesday in Moscow. Lavrov welcomed Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to the Russian capital for talks on the Syrian conflict as the evacuation of the last rebel-held enclave in Aleppo continued.