Stories for December 28th 2017

Thursday, December 28th 2017 - 10:30 UTC
Argentine Senate approves tax reform and 2018 budget; economy expanded 0.2% in October

Argentina’s Senate on Wednesday gave final approval to the government’s tax reform and 2018 budget plan, part of President Mauricio Macri’s push to cut business costs and attract investment to Latin America’s No. 3 economy.
Thursday, December 28th 2017 - 10:18 UTC
Argentina's stock market Merval has gained around 75% in the last twelve months

Merval, the benchmark stock market index in Argentina, rose 0.25% to 29,260.33 on Wednesday, reflecting investor optimism that the Senate would pass the 2018 budget and a tax reform. It was the seventh consecutive increase of the index.
Thursday, December 28th 2017 - 10:15 UTC
YPF reaches agreement and will pay US$ 114m on a conflict from 2009

Argentina's state-owned oil company YPF will pay US$ 114 million to Transportadora de Gas del Mercosur (TGM) to end a conflict that began in 2009 when the company suspended the shipment of natural gas.
Thursday, December 28th 2017 - 10:07 UTC
Thousands of government papers “vanished” from UK's National Archives

Thousands of government papers detailing some of the most controversial episodes in 20th-century British history have vanished after civil servants removed them from the country’s National Archives and then reported them as lost. Documents concerning the Falklands war, Northern Ireland’s Troubles and the infamous Zinoviev letter – in which MI6 officers plotted to bring about the downfall of the first Labour government - are all said to have been misplaced.
Thursday, December 28th 2017 - 10:03 UTC
Brazil creates National Mining Agency to promote and regulate the industry

Brazil's President Michel Temer has approved a law to create a National Mining Agency (ANM), according to a statement published in Wednesday's edition of the country's official gazette.
Thursday, December 28th 2017 - 09:59 UTC
Parliament demands release of studies on potential impact of Brexit on the economy

The United Kingdom government is facing new calls to release confidential studies drawn up by officials looking at the potential impact of Brexit on the economy. Twenty-five Labour MPs have written to Chancellor Philip Hammond calling on him to release the material after he disclosed the work was being carried out during a recent session of the Commons Treasury Committee.
Thursday, December 28th 2017 - 09:54 UTC
Temer appoints new Labor minister; officials resign to run in 2018 elections

Brazilian President Michel Temer will appoint Congressman Pedro Fernandes as the new labor minister, the leader of the Brazilian Labour Party, Jovair Arantes, said on Wednesday. Brazilian Labor Minister Ronaldo Nogueira has resigned because he plans to seek a seat in Chamber of Deputies in next year's election.
Thursday, December 28th 2017 - 09:49 UTC
Brazil supports Guyana's boundaries which are challenged by Venezuela

Brazil maintains that the settlement of the Guyana/Venezuela Border is final and must be respected, according to the country's Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge. Following his attendance at the recently concluded Mercosur Summit held in Brazil, Greenidge said Brasilia has been updated on Venezuela’s contention that the 1899 Award is null and void, and remains resolute to its original position.
Thursday, December 28th 2017 - 09:44 UTC
Latin America has started to look seriously at Indian economy and opportunities By R. Viswanathan

Latin America's GDP growth is projected to increase to 2.2% in 2018 from 1.3% in 2017. The Pink Tide has receded for the moment, giving rise to more centre right governments in the region. In 2018, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Paraguay and Venezuela will have presidential elections. Venezuela’s political and economic tragedy could get worse.
Thursday, December 28th 2017 - 09:40 UTC
Brasilia/Caracas tit for tat: Venezuelan top diplomat declared “persona non grata”

Brazil has declared Gerardo Maldonado, Venezuela’s top diplomat in the country, persona non grata in a tit-for-tat move that comes just days after Caracas expelled the Brazilian ambassador.