Stories for October 2017

Wednesday, October 11th 2017 - 15:09 UTC
British parliamentarians visit Peru to promote trade, cooperation and security

A group of British Parliamentarians visited Peru during September. The group, comprised of six members of both the House of Lords and the House of Commons, travelled to Latin America to look specifically at parliamentary and bilateral relations between the UK and Peru. The groups´ members were drawn from a range of political parties in Parliament.
Wednesday, October 11th 2017 - 14:53 UTC
UK tourism industry booming: 40 million overseas visitors during 2017

Tourism is booming in the UK with nearly 40 million overseas people expected to have visited the country during 2017 - a record figure. Tourist promotion agency VisitBritain forecasts overseas trips to the UK will increase 6% to 39.7 million with spending up 14% to £25.7bn this year. Britons are also holidaying at home in record numbers.
Wednesday, October 11th 2017 - 14:27 UTC
World Bank admits millions of jobs will be automated and urges investments in “human capital”

The world is on a “crash course” as people's hopes collide with a future in which millions of jobs are automated, the World Bank chief has said. Jim Yong Kim said policymakers should take action by investing in education and health. The World Bank president spoke in New York ahead of the group's annual meeting in Washington DC this week.
Wednesday, October 11th 2017 - 14:21 UTC
If no deal is reached with EU, “the result would be chaos”; UK government pursuing a “fantasy”

Scotland’s Brexit Secretary has said there is no prospect of the UK becoming a “glorious trading nation” after leaving the European Union. But Michael Russell also said if no deal is reached with the EU, the result would be “chaos” and accused the Government of pursuing a “fantasy”.
Wednesday, October 11th 2017 - 14:15 UTC
Catalonia president speech on independence triggers elation...and disillusion

Catalan President Carles Puigdemont said on Tuesday he has a mandate to declare independence for the north-eastern Spanish region but is prepared to wait “a few weeks” in order to facilitate a dialogue. Puigdemont told the Catalan parliament a landslide victory in the disputed October 1 referendum on independence gives his government grounds to implement its long-held desire to break century-old ties with Spain but he is suggesting holding off.
Wednesday, October 11th 2017 - 14:11 UTC
Controversial Irish stamp marking 50th anniversary of the death of Che Guevara

An Irish stamp marking the 50th anniversary of the death of Che Guevara has aroused the ire of Cuban-Americans. The stamp features the iconic image of the Argentine-born revolutionary by Dublin artist Jim Fitzpatrick.
Tuesday, October 10th 2017 - 16:45 UTC
Brazil relaunching economic ties with the African continent

Agricultural powerhouse Brazil aims to revive ties with Africa after a lull and sees a vast export market for food and manufactured goods in a continent whose population is surging, its foreign minister said.
Tuesday, October 10th 2017 - 16:37 UTC
China's Sinopec considering selling assets in Santa Cruz, Argentina

Argentina’s losses on its oil and gas assets, as well as its labor disputes, have prompted China’s Sinopec to consider selling its operations in the country. Sinopec advisors have offered up some of its assets to about a dozen large firms from the U.S., Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Russia, it was reported on Monday and confirmed in Beijing media.
Tuesday, October 10th 2017 - 07:20 UTC
Macri celebrates victory of staunch ally in Corrientes province

Argentina's ruling coalition of president Mauricio Macri celebrated on Sunday victory in the Corrientes province governor race, a significant boost a couple of weeks before the crucial midterm elections. Candidate Gustavo Valdés supported by “Let's Change” grouping won the Corrientes gubernational dispute with 54.06% of the votes.
Tuesday, October 10th 2017 - 07:08 UTC
Support for Catalonia president independence declaration rapidly weakening

Catalan President Carles Puigdemont is facing growing pressure to drop plans to break from Spain ahead of a key address to the regional parliament. There has been speculation that he could announce a unilateral declaration of independence following a disputed referendum. France and Germany have both expressed support for a united Spain.