Stories for February 2018

Wednesday, February 14th 2018 - 09:58 UTC
British Judge refuses to halt legal proceedings against Assange

A British judge refused on Tuesday to halt legal proceedings against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange for jumping bail and fleeing to the Ecuadorean embassy in London in June 2012. The ruling leaves Assange, 46, in a legal and diplomatic impasse, with no way out of the embassy where he has lived for almost six years, unless he decides to face the prospect of arrest by British police.
Wednesday, February 14th 2018 - 09:54 UTC
Temer said that Brazil will continue to receive Venezuelan refugees

Brazil will not block Venezuelans from entering the country through the border in the northern state of Roraima, but has launched a task force to organize the flow and provide resources for cities and states dealing with the refugees.
Wednesday, February 14th 2018 - 09:48 UTC
PDVSA bonds should be traded as in default, recommends EMTA

Emerging markets trade group EMTA has recommended that bonds issued by Venezuela’s state-owned oil firm PDVSA should be traded flat or without accrued interest, the way bonds in default are typically traded.
Wednesday, February 14th 2018 - 09:36 UTC
Five ex PDVSA officials on trial in Houston for US$ 1 billion graft probe

U.S. prosecutors announced charges against five former Venezuelan officials accused of soliciting bribes in exchange for helping vendors win favorable treatment from state oil company PDVSA, the latest case to stem from a US$1 billion graft probe.
Wednesday, February 14th 2018 - 09:28 UTC
“Lima Group” blasts Maduro's call for elections without an agreement with the opposition

The “Lima Group” of Latin American nations plus Canada on Tuesday criticized the Venezuelan government’s decision to hold a presidential election on April 22 without reaching an agreement with an opposition coalition.
Wednesday, February 14th 2018 - 09:22 UTC
South African ruling party recalls president Zuma to step down

South Africa's ruling ANC party on Tuesday “recalled” scandal-tainted President Jacob Zuma from office but set no deadline for him to step down, pitching the country into further uncertainty. ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule told reporters that Zuma had “agreed in principle to resign” and had proposed leaving in three to six months -- a delay that the party rejected.
Wednesday, February 14th 2018 - 09:19 UTC
Israel's Netanyahu defiant says he will complete his term and be re-elected in 2019

In an impassioned 10-minute rebuttal to police recommendations to indict him on bribery and breach of trust charges, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the nation on Tuesday night that not only will this government complete its term, but he will again be re-elected in 2019.
Wednesday, February 14th 2018 - 09:10 UTC
UK January inflation remains at 3%; slower food and raw materials prices

United Kingdom inflation remained at 3% in January, the same level as in December, as reported by the Office for National Statistics, ONS. In November it was the six year high of 3.1% and most economists were expecting a small fall in the CPI to 2.9%.
Wednesday, February 14th 2018 - 09:04 UTC
Another blow for Oxfam: chairman Fuentes arrested for his time as Guatemala finance minister

The chairman of the charity Oxfam International, Juan Alberto Fuentes, has been arrested in Guatemala. Fuentes was detained as part of an investigation into a corruption scandal dating back to his time as Guatemala's finance minister, but no charges have been brought so far.
Wednesday, February 14th 2018 - 08:34 UTC
Gatwick/Buenos Aires air shuttle by Norwegian start from £259 one-way

This Wednesday, the first ever budget flight from London to South America departs from Gatwick airport. Fares on the 14-hour Norwegian Air Shuttle flight to Buenos Aires start from £259 one-way. The seats are tightly packed and food and luggage cost extra, but the no-frills model of flying, so well established on short-haul routes, is becoming increasingly common on intercontinental flights.