Stories for December 17th 2019

Tuesday, December 17th 2019 - 23:54 UTC
Argentine farmers reject increase in export taxes, but privilege dialogue

Argentine farmers are disappointed with the new taxes on farm produce exports decreed by government, and particularly with president Alberto Fernandez who had promised during the campaign to work with them in developing policies.
Tuesday, December 17th 2019 - 09:59 UTC
Brazilian government dismisses as a “commercial game” results of COP25 climate talks in Madrid

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a climate change skeptic, dismissed as a “commercial game” the result of the COP25 climate talks in Madrid. He particularly singled out rich European nations as the players.
Tuesday, December 17th 2019 - 09:52 UTC
Netanyahu says Bolsonaro's son anticipated Brazil would move its embassy to Jerusalem next year

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Brazil will follow the United States and move its embassy to Jerusalem next year. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has expressed before his intention of moving his country's embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, but senior officials later backtracked for fear of damaging trade ties with Arab countries.
Tuesday, December 17th 2019 - 09:52 UTC
“God, a fellow Brazilian”, helped Jair Bolsonaro become president

President Jair Bolsonaro said God, a fellow Brazilian, had handed him the election victory that propelled him to office in South America's largest economy.
Tuesday, December 17th 2019 - 09:51 UTC
Maduro's court opens criminal cases against four opposition lawmakers

Venezuela's Supreme Court opened criminal cases Monday against four National Assembly lawmakers opposed to President Nicolas Maduro, accusing them of rebellion and treason for their part in a failed military uprising.
Tuesday, December 17th 2019 - 09:51 UTC
Mexico rejects US labor inspectors: they are not included in the USMCA trade pact

Mexico’s trade negotiator for North America said that Mexico categorically opposes allowing foreign labor inspectors to operate in the country, saying that was not contemplated in the recent agreement with Washington and Ottawa on the USMCA pact to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Tuesday, December 17th 2019 - 09:47 UTC
Strong warning from Chilean cruise industry representatives to port officials

Chilean cruise operators have sent a letter to the administrators of the port of San Antonio warning that if the intermittent service stoppages continue the companies they represent will have to take drastic measures. The current social turmoil and upheaval which has expanded to most of the country are distorting the normal functioning of the economy.
Tuesday, December 17th 2019 - 09:42 UTC
Argentine ex police officer linked to killings and torture extradited to Buenos Aires

An Argentine ex-police officer linked to the murder of hundreds of people during the country's “dirty war” was on a plane to Buenos Aires on Monday, after France extradited him to face trial over the disappearance of a student.
Tuesday, December 17th 2019 - 09:40 UTC
“You cannot hold Scotland in the union against its will”, First Minister Sturgeon reminds Boris Johnson

Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, warned Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday that he could not keep Scotland in the United Kingdom against the country's will.
Tuesday, December 17th 2019 - 09:39 UTC
Uruguayan president confident he is overcoming lung cancer

Uruguayan president Tabare Vazquez clinical studies of the oncologic treatment he is undergoing “are satisfactory with no current evidence of the illness. He will continue with periodic controls, keeping to his normal activities in government”