Stories for August 7th 2018

Tuesday, August 7th 2018 - 11:14 UTC
Falklands and Pobjoy release set of 50p coins with five breeds of penguin in color

Following the success of the first set of Falkland Islands Penguin 50p coins in 2017, Pobjoy Mint has announced the release of a brand new set of five coins featuring the five breeds of penguin that are resident on the Islands at some point during the course of the year.
Tuesday, August 7th 2018 - 11:02 UTC
Argentine and Brazilian prosecution reach a deal on “Operation Car Wash”

Argentina's main prosecutor's office said it has reached a deal with its Brazilian counterpart to use testimony reached through plea bargains in the “Operation Car Wash” corruption case in local graft investigations.
Tuesday, August 7th 2018 - 10:43 UTC
Chile legally bans the widespread commercial use of plastic bags

Chile has become the first South American country to legally ban the widespread commercial use of plastic bags. The new legislation approved by Congress and enacted by President Sebastián Piñera, gives small shops two years to adapt to a total ban.
Tuesday, August 7th 2018 - 07:59 UTC
Falklands' flag to fly all year round in Portsmouth

Portsmouth could soon fly the Falklands flag all year round as a lasting tribute to all those who died to liberate the British territory 36 years ago. Plans are afoot to install a new flagpole outside the Falklands memorial in Old Portsmouth to allow the islands’ symbol to fly above the entrance to the city’s harbor.
Tuesday, August 7th 2018 - 07:48 UTC
US re-imposes first wave of sanctions on Iran; EU, China, Russia, India resist

At midday on Tuesday, the first wave of U.S. sanctions suspended under the Iran nuclear deal will snap back into place, as the Trump administration tries to ramp up the economic pressure on Iran. But without partners in Europe, let alone buy-in from countries like Russia, China, and India, it's unclear how strong that pressure will be.
Tuesday, August 7th 2018 - 07:38 UTC
Lula's party confirms plan B in case the ex president is barred from running in October

Brazil's Workers' Party announced on Monday that former Sao Paulo Mayor Fernando Haddad will become its presidential candidate if, as expected, jailed ex-president Lula da Silva is barred from running in the October election.
Tuesday, August 7th 2018 - 07:31 UTC
Brazilian judge blocks border to prevent Venezuelans flooding in

A Brazilian federal court has ordered a block on Venezuelans crossing the border from their economically imploding country, but there was no indication on Monday of the suspension yet taking effect.
Tuesday, August 7th 2018 - 07:23 UTC
Ivan Duque takes office as Colombian president; staunch ally of the Trump administration

Ivan Duque, who will be sworn in as Colombia’s president on Tuesday, is poised to become an unusually strong ally for the Trump administration after he made a project of cultivating ties with the White House and spotlighting shared views on drug control, counterterrorism and the unfolding political and economic crisis in next-door Venezuela.
Tuesday, August 7th 2018 - 07:01 UTC
Construction executives confirm bribe payments in exchange for contracts under Kirchner governments

Argentine prosecutors questioned a construction executive related to President Mauricio Macri on Monday as part of a sprawling investigation into bribe payments made to the former government. Angelo Calcaterra, the former head of construction company Iecsa and Macri’s cousin, told prosecutors he was told by officials in former President Cristina Fernandez’ administration to pay cash in exchange for public works contracts.