Stories for December 2017

Thursday, December 7th 2017 - 07:56 UTC
Trump recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital, and calls it a new approach to the Palestinian conflict

In a momentous shift of United States foreign policy in the Middle East, President Donald Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on Wednesday and initiated the process of relocating the U.S. embassy to the city from Tel Aviv.
Thursday, December 7th 2017 - 07:38 UTC
Special counsel subpoenas Deutsche Bank on President Trump's finances

Special counsel Robert Mueller has issued a subpoena to Germany’s largest bank, in a possible sign the investigation into Russian election interference may be expanding toward the finances of President Donald Trump or other individuals under scrutiny by the special counsel.
Thursday, December 7th 2017 - 07:31 UTC
Rajoy expresses support for Mrs. May efforts and progress in Brexit negotiations

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said he expected Britain and the European Union to progress soon into the next phase of Brexit negotiations, despite Prime Minister Theresa May’s problems in getting the political backing at home to move ahead.
Thursday, December 7th 2017 - 07:16 UTC
UK public pessimistic about Brexit: 52% believe a bad deal lies ahead and are critical of negotiations

More than half of British people now think the country will get a bad Brexit deal, according to a new survey. A report by polling expert Professor John Curtice suggests the UK public, including those who voted Leave in the EU referendum, has become more critical of the way negotiations are being handled and more pessimistic about the consequences of Brexit.
Thursday, December 7th 2017 - 07:13 UTC
Theresa May promises Irish counterpart proposals for the border in the context of Brexit

British Prime Minister Theresa May told her Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar that she would propose suggestions to Brexit negotiators over the next 24 hours to try to break an impasse on the issue of the Irish border, Varadkar said on Wednesday.
Wednesday, December 6th 2017 - 21:31 UTC
Peruvian construction companies accused of colluding with Brazil's Odebrecht

Four former and current executives of Peruvian construction companies were detained pending trial, accused of colluding with Brazilian builder Odebrecht to bribe a former president.
Wednesday, December 6th 2017 - 16:33 UTC
Europe makes official a blacklist of 17 non-EU it describes as tax havens

The European Union has put 17 non-EU countries on a blacklist of those it deems guilty of unfairly offering tax avoidance schemes, prompting protest from Panama's president. EU vice president Valdis Dombrovskis said after a meeting of the bloc's finance ministers that beyond the 17 nations, over 40 more were put on a “grey list” to be monitored until they are fully committed to reforms.
Wednesday, December 6th 2017 - 16:20 UTC
Saudi Prince released after agreeing “acceptable settlement” of more than US$ 1bn

Saudi Prince Miteb bin Abdullah has been released more than three weeks after he was detained on allegations of corruption, officials have said. Prince Miteb, once seen as a contender to the throne, was freed after agreeing an “acceptable settlement” with authorities of more than US$1bn (£750m).
Wednesday, December 6th 2017 - 16:14 UTC
Brazil services activity in November shrinks the most in nine months

Brazilian services activity in November shrank the most in nine months, a private survey showed on Tuesday, highlighting the nation's uneven recovery from the deepest recession in a century. The Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for the Brazilian services sector compiled by research firm Markit fell to 46.9 from 48.8 in October. Readings below 50 indicate contraction in activity.
Wednesday, December 6th 2017 - 13:47 UTC
Brazil and US scientists discover molecule that has destroyed millions of citrus groves

Researchers have identified the molecule that attracts the insect that transmits citrus greening disease, a development expected to help farmers control a plague that has destroyed trees in growing regions of Brazil and the United States. The scientific breakthrough is the result of six years of research on Diaphorina citri, the vector of citrus greening disease.