Stories for April 2017

Friday, April 28th 2017 - 09:23 UTC
Labour “unequivocally committed” to protecting British sovereignty of Gibraltar

Labour is “unequivocally committed” to protecting the British sovereignty of Gibraltar, Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry said during a surprise visit to the Rock. Mrs Thornberry was shown around Gibraltar International Airport and the frontier by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia, on the back of a long standing promise.
Friday, April 28th 2017 - 09:03 UTC
PM May blasts Merkel and Labour on Brexit talks, and calls for unity and 'strongest possible hand'

Germany's Angela Merkel comments about the UK's Brexit stance show the need for Britain to have the “strongest possible hand” in negotiations, said Prime Minister Theresa May. The PM told a rally in Leeds that 27 EU countries were “lining up to oppose” Britain while her opponents were “trying to disrupt” Brexit talks.
Friday, April 28th 2017 - 03:03 UTC
Argentine economy contracted in February, but in March consumer confidence is picking up

Argentina's economy contracted 2.2% on the year in February, indicating that the country's widely expected fiscal recovery may end up being slower than anticipated this year. The economy also shrank 1.9% from the previous month, the national statistics agency Indec reported. The data come after Argentina's economy grew 1.4% on the year in January.
Friday, April 28th 2017 - 02:16 UTC
Re-election amendment in Paraguay rejected overwhelmingly in Congress

The lower house of Paraguay's Congress has voted overwhelmingly to reject a constitutional amendment that allowed the president to seek re-election. The proposal triggered riots last month, with protesters setting fire to part of the Congress building.
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.