Stories for December 2016

Saturday, December 10th 2016 - 10:06 UTC
Lula accused of helping Saab win US$ 5.6bn defense contract for the air force

Federal prosecutors on Friday filed new criminal charges against Brazil’s former President Lula da Silva for allegedly using his influence for financial gain after he left office. Lula was charged with influence peddling, money laundering and conspiracy.
Saturday, December 10th 2016 - 09:52 UTC
House of Lords EU committee to launch inquiry into Brexit implications for Gibraltar

The United Kingdom House of Lords EU Select Committee has launched a new short inquiry on the implications of Brexit for Gibraltar. The committee will meet next week and take evidence from Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia and Attorney General Michael Llamas.
Saturday, December 10th 2016 - 04:20 UTC
Identification of Argentine soldiers buried in Falklands/Malvinas: Argentina/UK entrust Red Cross

Delegations from Argentina and the United Kingdom on Friday agreed, in principle, on the mandate that they will jointly entrust to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to carry out the identification of Argentine soldiers buried in Darwin cemetery on the Falkland/Malvinas Islands.
Friday, December 9th 2016 - 17:04 UTC
‘Ladies and Gentlemen’ too gender-biased for London's public transport

London Mayor Sadiq Khan looks to scrap the traditional “Ladies and Gentlemen” announcement on trains and buses and replace it with a gender neutral phrasing following complaints from a transgender woman who was mocked as she ‘didn't sound like a Miss’.
Friday, December 9th 2016 - 16:30 UTC
IMF ups forecast for Uruguay's growth in 2016 to 0.7% - In October it had anticipated 0.1%

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday raised its forecast for economic growth in Uruguay this year to 0.7%, a substantial increase from the 0.1% estimated in October, and underlined the country's resilience to the problems of its neighbors Argentina and Brazil.
Friday, December 9th 2016 - 15:25 UTC
UK faces threat of “unprecedented” proportions, says British chief spy

MI6 Director Alex Younger said on Thursday that the unprecedented terrorist threat his country is going through would not abate until the end of the civil war in Syria. Ha added that 12 plots to commit an attack have been dismantled since June 2013 and warned that “the efficiently murderous” Islamic state continues to plan attacks from Syria, despite recent military setbacks.
Friday, December 9th 2016 - 15:14 UTC
Maduro calls for “anti-coup” test as dialogue with opposition dies

During a “commemorative assembly” marking the fourth anniversary of the day the late Hugo Chavez picked him as his successor, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro called for a powerful civilian and military mobilization next December 17 to make a “anti-coup” test in view of the alleged threats from “imperialism” and “national oligarchy.”
Friday, December 9th 2016 - 10:53 UTC
Argentina and Chile alternate in Antarctic Combined Naval Patrolling

Argentina and Chile are already alternatively operating the Antarctica Combined Naval Patrolling, (PANC), which is responsible for maritime control and safety, including search and rescue missions, in the Southern Ocean particularly significant in summer months because of the increase in tourism traffic.
Friday, December 9th 2016 - 10:01 UTC
Brazil and Argentina agree to open Mercosur to the world and expand trade horizons

Brazil and Argentina foreign ministers agreed on Thursday in Brasilia that Mercosur must open to the world and expand its trade horizons, but it will have to be done without Venezuela which has been currently “ceased” from the block. Jose Serra and Susana Malcorra coincided that Mercosur must speed the trade agreement with the European Union taking advantage of the fact US elected-president Donald Trump has pledged to limit such treaties.
Friday, December 9th 2016 - 09:47 UTC
UK and Brazil underline significance of bilateral cooperation and initiatives in strategic areas

British Secretary of State for International Trade, Dr Liam Fox, and the Brazilian Minister for Industry, Foreign Trade and Services, Marcos Pereira, emphasized the importance of current bilateral cooperation and agreed initiatives on strategic areas to support mutual economic development, during the 9th UK-Brazil Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) meeting held in Brasília this week.