Stories for January 31st 2017

Tuesday, January 31st 2017 - 23:19 UTC
Argentina declares 2017 Renewable Energy Year; 20% electricity share by 2025

Argentina has declared 2017 as the ‘Renewable Energy Year’ as the country looks to increase awareness about the advantages of renewable energy and the important of sustainability. A decree issued by the government calls for energy diversification through the use of renewable energy sources in the electricity generation as well as thermal energy sector.
Tuesday, January 31st 2017 - 22:21 UTC
Volkswagen overtakes Toyota as world's top leading automaker in 2016

Toyota lost its crown as the world's top-selling automaker in 2016, company figures showed Monday, with the Japanese giant overtaken by Volkswagen as the industry prepares for an uncertain trade environment under Donald Trump. The German automaker moved back into the top spot despite being hit by a massive emissions cheating scandal that rocked its reputation.
Tuesday, January 31st 2017 - 22:06 UTC
Deutsche Bank fined in US and UK for helping Russians money launder

Deutsche Bank has been fined US$630m by US and UK regulators in connection with a Russian money laundering plan. Under the scheme, clients illegally moved US$10bn out of Russia via shares bought and sold through the bank's Moscow, London and New York offices.
Tuesday, January 31st 2017 - 21:56 UTC
Brazil to lift restrictions on foreign ownership of airlines and farm land

President Michel Temer will propose legislation to lift restrictions on foreign ownership of airlines and agricultural land in Brazil as he strives to pull the economy out of a two-year recession, government sources said on Monday.
Tuesday, January 31st 2017 - 21:14 UTC
House of Commons begins two-day debate on Brexit formal process

British MPs are to begin on Tuesday two days of debate over the government's parliamentary bill to get the formal process of Brexit under way. Discussions on the European Union Bill have been extended to midnight on Tuesday to accommodate more speakers, with a vote to take place on Wednesday.
Tuesday, January 31st 2017 - 21:03 UTC
Brazilian government is “meeting its budget deficit”, says minister Meirelles

Brazil's central government registered a primary budget deficit of 154.255 billion reais (US$49.40 billion) in 2016, meeting its target but recording a third consecutive annual deficit that reflects the dire state of the country's finances. In December, the country posted a primary deficit of 60.124 billion reais (US$19.25 billion).
Tuesday, January 31st 2017 - 20:31 UTC
Sapphire Jubilee for Queen Elizabeth II on February

Queen Elizabeth II is to make history when she becomes the first British monarch to reach their Sapphire Jubilee. On February 6, the anniversary of the day she was crowned the Queen will have reigned for 65 years. But there are no grand festivities planned to mark the head-of-state’s new milestone.
Tuesday, January 31st 2017 - 12:17 UTC
Argentina makes it easier to deport foreigners who commit crimes or with records

Argentina changed its immigration law to make it easier to deport foreigners who commit crimes and to prohibit individuals with criminal records from entering the country, according to a post in the government's official bulletin on Monday.
Tuesday, January 31st 2017 - 12:07 UTC
Brazil's ex richest man jailed on return from US; he is linked to the Petrobras scandal

Former Brazilian billionaire Eike Batista on Monday turned himself in to police in Rio de Janeiro on Monday on charges related to the Petrobras corruption scandal. He was detained shortly after arriving from New York.
Tuesday, January 31st 2017 - 11:45 UTC
Trump sacks attorney general for “betraying” and questioning legality of immigration ban

President Donald Trump has fired the acting US attorney general, after she questioned the legality of his immigration ban. Sally Yates, who had been appointed under Barack Obama, earlier ordered justice department lawyers not to enforce the president's executive order.