Stories for 2017

Wednesday, August 16th 2017 - 09:22 UTC
UK rejects any border posts between Ireland and Ulster, according to Brexit paper

The United Kingdom government has said it does not want any border posts between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in its new position paper on Brexit. The paper is part of its negotiations with the European Union and the broad ideas in the document appear familiar.
Wednesday, August 16th 2017 - 09:10 UTC
FARC hands over weapons, prepares for the political phase of peace accord

U.N. observers on Tuesday removed the last of more than 8,000 guns once carried by the guerrillas of Colombia’s largest rebel army and collected at 26 demobilization sites around the South American nation under a historic peace deal. The next phase of the peace deal is for the ex guerrillas to organize politically and run for seats in congressional elections.
Wednesday, August 16th 2017 - 08:12 UTC
Major Chinese vessel caught poaching sharks in Galapagos Islands Marine Protected Area

Authorities in Ecuador have detained the crew of a Chinese fishing boat suspected to have caught hundreds of endangered sharks in the Galapagos Islands. The Fu Yuan Yu Leng 999 was found Sunday in the archipelago, which is a marine reserve, carrying 300 tons of fish.
Wednesday, August 16th 2017 - 08:02 UTC
The iconic Big Ben will undergo conservation and remain silent until 2021

Since it first rang out in 1859, Big Ben has become one of London’s most iconic landmarks, faithfully marking every hour and quarter hour with resounding bongs and tinkling chimes. But a four-year conservation project will soon cause the historic clock tower to fall silent, as Tara John reports for Time.
Tuesday, August 15th 2017 - 23:49 UTC
Argentine stocks and the Peso strengthen following Sunday primary results

Argentine stocks rose, the peso strengthened more than 3% and credit default swaps fell on Monday after the mid-term legislative primary election was seen as favoring business-friendly President Mauricio Macri's reform effort.
Tuesday, August 15th 2017 - 15:44 UTC
Trump orders review of China's practices regarding intellectual property; Beijing warns it “will not sit idle”

President Donald Trump has asked his country's top trade official to review China's practices regarding intellectual property. The move was incremental, but could eventually lead to the US imposing trade sanctions.
Tuesday, August 15th 2017 - 14:52 UTC
UK wants to secure a post-Brexit “ambitious new customs arrangement” with the EU

The UK has set out the “ambitious new customs arrangement” it wants to secure with the EU after Brexit. Ministers said the plans would mean the “freest and most frictionless possible trade” with the rest of Europe and could include a “temporary customs union” after Brexit to prevent border problems as the UK leaves the EU.
Tuesday, August 15th 2017 - 10:56 UTC
Canada adopts resolute stance ahead of NAFTA renegotiation scheduled for Wednesday

Canada signaled Monday that it would not give much, if any, ground on the benefits it provides to domestic industries when it joins the U.S. and Mexico to begin renegotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement this week. A key issue for the U.S. is getting Canada to stop policies that boost its dairy, poultry, and timber industries.
Tuesday, August 15th 2017 - 10:45 UTC
Brazil opens first corn ethanol plant; the country leads in sugarcane ethanol

Brazilian company FS Bioenergia inaugurated a corn ethanol plant, the first in the country, to produce 210 million liters year. The plant was built by a joint venture between the local agro-company Fiagril and US-based Summit Agricultural Group with investments of BRL 450 million (US$ 141.1m), said the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Farming.
Tuesday, August 15th 2017 - 09:34 UTC
Temer and Meirelles discussing with congress leaders budget deficit and cabinet positions

Brazil's government delayed the announcement of looser budget targets for 2017 and 2018, previously expected for Monday, as authorities struggled to estimate revenues given strong opposition in Congress to tax hikes.