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Montevideo, December 26th 2024 - 14:49 UTC

Stories for 2016

  • Friday, October 14th 2016 - 09:25 UTC

    Lula will stand trial for allegations of corruption, money laundering and justice obstruction

    Lula faces allegations of corruption, money laundering and obstruction of justice related to a sprawling kickback scheme at state-run oil company Petrobras

    A federal judge in Brazil ruled on Thursday that former President Lula da Silva will stand trial for an alleged bribery scheme related to work by construction giant Odebrecht in Angola. It's the second time in less than a month that a federal judge has ruled that Lula, a two-term president who left office in 2011 as Brazil's most popular president must stand trial.

  • Friday, October 14th 2016 - 09:17 UTC

    EU-Mercosur trade deal within two years, followed by negotiations with UK

     “Mercosur has moved to improve its offer and we are optimistic that we can work towards a better deal,” said Argentine Commerce Secretary Miguel Braun

    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

    “Rajoy told PM May that Spain would support UK's integrity and would not encourage any type of secessionism related to the withdrawal from the EU”

    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,” said MLA Summers

    “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”

    Lord King said that for the UK slowing down economy “the fall in sterling is a welcome change”

    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 economies of South America, which specialize in primary goods —particularly oil, minerals and foods— will post average growth of 1.1% 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 said Stumpf, 63, was retiring and would be replaced as chief executive by President and Chief Operating Officer Tim Sloan, 56. (Pic AP)

    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

     “If governments tax products like sugary drinks, they can cut healthcare costs and increase revenues to invest in health services”, said Dr, Douglas Bettcher

    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, which hasn’t adjusted gasoline and diesel prices for more than a year, will set prices at or above parity with international levels, Parente said

    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

    Huge pans were distributed in downtown and paella portions distributed among attendants following the end of the parade

    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.