Stories for December 21st 2017

Thursday, December 21st 2017 - 11:26 UTC
Egypt attends Mercosur summit in Brasilia

Egypt is attending the ministerial meeting of the Mercosur bloc in Brasilia to deliver a message about the importance of joining the group, Minister of Industry and Foreign Trade Tarek Kabil said in a statement.
Thursday, December 21st 2017 - 11:12 UTC
EU stands firmly on its beef offer to Mercosur: 70.000 tons

The European Union's offer on beef in Mercosur trade negotiations has not been revised according to the EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan, who said a deal may happen in February. Speaking to journalists in Brussels on Wednesday, EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan said that the EU's offer on beef access for Mercosur countries has not been revised since December 5.
Thursday, December 21st 2017 - 11:07 UTC
Transition period after Brexit ends the last day of 2020, states EC

The European Union wants a transition period after Brexit to end no later than the last day of 2020, according to the European Commission's negotiating directives agreed on Wednesday. That date, coinciding with the end of the EU's seven-year budget period and 21 months after Britain departs the EU, had long been expected as the target end point of the transition.
Thursday, December 21st 2017 - 10:59 UTC
Mrs. May reaffirms Gibraltar will be part of UK Brexit negotiations

Gibraltar will not be excluded from any aspect of the UK’s Brexit negotiations, Prime Minister Theresa May insisted again, after the European Commission appeared to indicate that Spain would have a veto on any transitional arrangements covering the Rock.
Thursday, December 21st 2017 - 10:48 UTC
“Unprecedented” absence of Royal Navy vessels on the world stage

Britain has no major warships deployed on operations beyond home waters in what has been described as an “unprecedented” absence of the vessels on the world stage. All six of the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers are docked in Portsmouth, while 12 of 13 Type 23 frigates are either at Portsmouth or Devonport.
Thursday, December 21st 2017 - 10:32 UTC
UN Jerusalem vote: Trump threatens to cut off financial aid to countries that support the resolution

United States president Donald Trump has threatened to cut off financial aid to countries that back a United Nations resolution opposing the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Earlier this month, Mr Trump took that step amid international criticism.
Thursday, December 21st 2017 - 10:23 UTC
Catalonia hangover vote: challenge for a stable Spain, and for Europe

As voters in Catalonia ready themselves for Thursday’s election results, they will not be alone in anxious anticipation. Nobody has bet more on the outcome than Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who has urged Catalans to step back from what he sees as an illegal, reckless insistence on independence.
Thursday, December 21st 2017 - 10:05 UTC
President Maduro “cries” for Argentina and pledges to work for the people

The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, condemned the repression carried out by the Argentine security forces of president Mauricio Macri during the debate in Congress of the pensions' reform system, and underlined that the television reports from Buenos Aires called on him to work ever harder for the benefit of the people.
Thursday, December 21st 2017 - 09:34 UTC
Argentina's tax reform bill passed in the Lower House by 146 to 77 votes

Argentina’s business-friendly President Mauricio Macri continued his year-end legislative winning streak on Wednesday when the lower House of Congress approved his plan for cutting corporate income and employer social security taxes.