Stories for April 27th 2017

Thursday, April 27th 2017 - 23:44 UTC
Falklands airbridge working; no reply from Argentina on a second flight

Falkland Islands lawmaker, MLA Mike Summers apologized on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) for the disruption that the flight diversion from Ascension Island had caused, but said he knew they were working hard to ensure proper arrangements were in place for the continuation of the air bridge with the UK.
Thursday, April 27th 2017 - 17:50 UTC
Brazil's reforms advance in Congress to the relief of beleaguered president Temer

Brazil's lower house of Congress on Wednesday approved the main text of a bill to relax the country's restrictive labor laws, a main issue of President Michel Temer's efforts to bolster investment and pull the economy out of its worst recession ever.
Thursday, April 27th 2017 - 10:54 UTC
Cristina Fernandez invited to give a conference at Oxford University

Ex president Cristina Fernandez and her daughter Florencia Kirchner, both indicted in several alleged corruption cases have been allowed to travel to Europe in May, where the Argentine leader has been invited to a round of conferences and discussions including one from the Oxford Union at Oxford University.
Thursday, April 27th 2017 - 10:33 UTC
Post-Brexit “clear and explicit commitments” to Gibraltar wanted from UK political parties

The Gibraltar Government is calling on Britain’s political parties to make “clear and explicit commitments” to Gibraltar in their manifestos for the June 8 general election. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said his government would seek assurances on Gibraltar’s post-Brexit future from parties contesting the UK election.
Thursday, April 27th 2017 - 10:27 UTC
Argentina pays for the first batch of 24 T-6C training aircraft for its Air Force

Textron Aviation’s Beechcraft has received an US$88.2 million contract to supply the Argentina Air Force with T-6 aircraft. The U.S. Air Force contract calls for Beechcraft to supply four T-6C airplanes as well as maintenance, pilot training and interim contractor support for maintenance.
Thursday, April 27th 2017 - 10:17 UTC
Argentine Icebreaker Irizar is back undergoing sea trials, readying for Antarctica sailing

Argentina's Navy icebreaker ARA Almirante Irizar is back on sea trials following almost ten years of recovery and refurbishing after she caught fire in 2007 when returning from Antarctica and was considered almost a wreck given the magnitude of the damages experienced.
Thursday, April 27th 2017 - 09:55 UTC
Major cruise line fined US$ 40 million for deliberate vessel pollution

A major cruise line with ships that call on the Caribbean will have to pay a US$40 million penalty, the largest-ever for crimes involving deliberate vessel pollution. The sentence has been imposed on Princess Cruise Lines Ltd by US District Judge Patricia Seitz in Miami, for illegally dumping oil-contaminated waste overboard and falsifying official logs to conceal the discharges.
Thursday, April 27th 2017 - 09:32 UTC
Venezuela quitting OAS; death toll of demonstrations climbs to 33

Following through on its threat, Venezuela's government announced on Wednesday it is quitting the Organization of American States, accusing the regional body of meddling in its internal affairs over weeks of political unrest. The step was taken just hours after violent clashes in Caracas between security forces and protesters during yet another march against the socialist government of President Nicolas Maduro.
Thursday, April 27th 2017 - 09:21 UTC
Trump announces plan to lower taxes; Wall Street cautious, Democrats call it a handout to the wealthy

President Donald Trump administration on Wednesday presented a sweeping plan to lower tax rates for individuals and businesses, saying it would create the biggest tax cut in United States history. However US markets slid at the close after the Trump administration outlined the tax cut plan and Democrats described it as a handout to the wealthy that would expand the deficit.
Thursday, April 27th 2017 - 09:06 UTC
Trump receives Macri at the White House; the Argentine leader spent his first day with the oil industry in Houston

Argentine president Mauricio Macri is scheduled to meet with his peer Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday to discuss trade and other bilateral agenda issues, the Venezuelan situation and regional and world affairs. This is Macri's first official visit to the US as president, although his administration had strong support and very close relations with ex president Barack Obama.