Stories for October 2018

Monday, October 8th 2018 - 12:56 UTC
Astori surprised by Fitch ratings, confident Uruguay will bounce back

Uruguay's Economy Minister Danilo Astori Sunday said he was surprised at last week's decision by the Fitch agency to maintain Uruguay's investment grade as it lowered the outlook down to BBB- and pointed out that this report “contrasts openly with those of other risk rating agencies and with the market itself.”
Monday, October 8th 2018 - 08:39 UTC
Canada chairs meeting to reform WTO, but has not invited US or China

Canada has not invited the United States or China to a high-level meeting on reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO). The country will host a “small group of like-minded” trade ministers in Ottawa in late October to discuss the global trade body. Officials say countries like the US and China will be included at a later date in the reforms discussion process.
Monday, October 8th 2018 - 08:30 UTC
Quake rattles impoverished Haiti, at least 14 dead and extensive damage

A magnitude 5.2 aftershock struck Haiti on Sunday, even as survivors of the previous day’s temblor were sifting through the rubble of their cinder block homes. The death toll stood at 12, with fears it could rise. The U.S. Geological Survey said the epicenter of the aftershock was located 15.8 kilometers north-northwest of Port-de-Paix, the city hard hit by Saturday night’s 5.9 magnitude earthquake. Sunday’s aftershock had a depth of 10 kilometers.
Monday, October 8th 2018 - 08:17 UTC
Double purpose rocket launch: Argentine satellite for farmers and recovering first stage

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying an Argentine satellite has blasted off from California. The primary purpose of Sunday's mission is to place the SAOCOM 1A satellite into orbit, but SpaceX will also try for the first time to bring the Falcon's first stage back to a landing at the Vandenberg Air Force Base launch site.
Monday, October 8th 2018 - 08:17 UTC
China admits to be investigating head of Interpol on “suspected law violations”

China on Sunday said it was investigating Interpol's President Meng Hongwei, who went missing in September, over “suspected law violations”. The international police agency then announced it had received Meng's resignation.
Monday, October 8th 2018 - 07:12 UTC
SNP would back a new Brexit referendum, says party leader Nicola Sturgeon

Scottish National Party members of parliament would back a new Brexit referendum if it were put to them, party leader Nicola Sturgeon has said. Campaigners have been pressing for a fresh vote on whatever exit plans result from talks with EU leaders. Ms Sturgeon said SNP MPs would oppose anything short of staying in the single market and customs union.
Monday, October 8th 2018 - 06:43 UTC
Bolsonaro's performance unprecedented at Congress level: from 8 to 51 seats

Brazil's far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro turned his party from a footnote in a crowded Congress into a national powerhouse on Sunday, underscoring a seismic shift in Latin America's biggest nation as voters raged against the political establishment.
Monday, October 8th 2018 - 06:30 UTC
Bolsonaro syndrome: rejection of corruption in the Brazilian political class

The far-right former military man Jair Bolsonaro won nearly half the votes in Brazil’s presidential election on Sunday, raising the strong prospect that he could take the helm of Latin America’s largest nation in a runoff later this month.
Sunday, October 7th 2018 - 12:34 UTC
British Ambassador to Chile presents credentials to President Piñera

The United Kingdom Ambassador to Chile, Mr. Jamie Bowden, presented his credentials to President Sebastián Piñera, at a ceremony that took place at La Moneda presidential palace on October 3rd.
Sunday, October 7th 2018 - 12:15 UTC
World Medical Association appeals to Nicaragua to stop criminalizing doctors

The World Medical Association has appealed to the Nicaraguan Government to stop criminalizing doctors for delivering medical care to protesters during the country’s continuing wave of violence.