Stories for December 2017

Wednesday, December 27th 2017 - 10:54 UTC
Fujimori from hospital apologizes to “those whom he let down”

Peru's ailing former leader Alberto Fujimori on Tuesday asked the public for forgiveness, two days after receiving a presidential pardon that sparked street protests.”I am aware that the results of my government were well received on one side, but I admit that I have let down other compatriots, and I ask them to forgive me with all my heart,’ Fujimori said in a Facebook video filmed from his hospital bed.
Wednesday, December 27th 2017 - 10:44 UTC
Brazil is the world's ninth largest producer of hydrocarbons

Brazil has produced 3.3 million barrels per day (b/d) of petroleum and other liquids so far in 2017, according to data through August, up from 3.2 million b/d in 2016, making it the ninth-largest producer of petroleum and other liquids in the world. Production of crude oil in Brazil increased in recent years as producers targeted large, offshore, pre-salt oil deposits. Brazil’s pre-salt oil production in 2016 reached a record 1.02 million b/d, surpassing the 2015 production level by 33%.
Wednesday, December 27th 2017 - 10:32 UTC
FIFA bribes scandal: Peruvian official cleared by US court in New York

A Peruvian football official accused of taking bribes has been cleared by a jury in the United States. Manuel Burga, who led football in Peru until 2014, was accused of taking cash in exchange for distributing marketing and media rights to matches. Two other South American football officials were convicted by the same jury on Friday.
Wednesday, December 27th 2017 - 10:13 UTC
Brazil has no plans to name new ambassador in Caracas

The Brazilian foreign ministry has no plans to send a new ambassador to Venezuela, after Ruy Pereira was declared “persona non grata” by the government of Nicolás Maduro. With the ousting of ambassador Ruy Pereira the embassy will be the responsibility of the highest ranking diplomatic in Caracas, who is the business attaché. He is the second most senior and who has spent more time in Venezuela behind the ambassador.
Wednesday, December 27th 2017 - 10:04 UTC
Russian Deputy Prime Minister steps down as president of the country's Football Association

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko stepped down from his role as President of the Russian Football Union. Mutko told reporters in Russia he was stepping down to dispute his Olympic ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Wednesday, December 27th 2017 - 09:52 UTC
US poverty rate down; but top 5% of families accounted for more than one fifth of total income in 2016

A stronger US economy lifted American household incomes in 2016 and drove the poverty rate down to the level seen before the financial crisis. The median household income increased by 3.2% to US$59,039, rising for a second consecutive year as more people found full time jobs.
Wednesday, December 27th 2017 - 09:42 UTC
Morales insists in involving the Pope in the ongoing sea outlet dispute between Bolivia and Chile

Bolivian President Evo Morales implied in a Tweet that he and Pope Francis had discussed Bolivia’s territorial dispute with Chile during a meeting at the Vatican on December 15. According to the Vatican, the 30-minute private meeting “took place in a cordial atmosphere.”
Wednesday, December 27th 2017 - 09:36 UTC
Moody's expects Argentine economic recovery in 2018 and 2019

Credit risk rating agency Moody's expects Argentina's economic recovery to continue in 2018 and 2019, helped by the reforms advanced by the Mauricio Macri's administration in the last two years.
Wednesday, December 27th 2017 - 09:29 UTC
Antarctica cruise revolution: hybrid electric LNG powered icebreaker

French luxury shipping line Ponant announced a world first with a hybrid electric-LNG powered icebreaker. The luxury vessel promises to deliver around 300 passengers to places never before visited by cruise passengers in ultra-luxury – and with the least damage to the environment.
Wednesday, December 27th 2017 - 08:21 UTC
It's official: Nisman was murdered, and his ex secretary is charged as accessory to the crime

Alberto Nisman, the Argentine prosecutor who was found dead days after accusing former President Cristina Fernandez of covering up Iran’s role in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center, was murdered, a federal judge said on Tuesday