Brazil's Congress enacted Constitutional Amendment 135/24 regarding the fiscal spending cut package, Agencia Brasil reported. The new legislation stemming from the Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) 45/24 made changes to mandatory revenues and extended the Untying of Union Revenues (DRU) in a move to improve the federal government's fiscal balance, it was explained.
Venezuelan authorities announced Friday that Fernando Martínez Mottola, one of the six asylum-seekers at what used to be Argentina's Embassy in Caracas now guarded by Brazil following the diplomatic breakup, turned up voluntarily Thursday before the Public Prosecutor's Office and testified about a group of members of the extremist organization Vente Venezuela who are fugitives.
Argentina's Embassy was among the six diplomatic missions hit Friday when Russia bombed Kyiv. The others were those of Albania, North Macedonia, Palestine, Portugal, and Montenegro. Besides the “relatively light” material damage, all staffers of the South American legation were reported to be unharmed.
Argentina's Coast Guard (PNA) Thursday issued a statement explaining how it is monitoring the displacement of the A23a iceberg, which was reported to be headed for the South Georgia Islands.
The Argentine Patagonian Province of Neuquén impeached Lieutenant Governor Gloria Ruiz from her office for moral disqualification after a series of irregularities during her term in office. Ruiz had been suspended last month pending a final decision from the Legislature which was passed Thursday.
Brazil's Central Bank (BCB) successfully maneuvered Thursday and got the US dollar to fall against the local real after volatility gripped financial markets amid President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's planned taxation reforms, Agencia Brasil reported. The US currency closed at R$ 6.12 following Congressional approval of the Government's legal package.
The Bank of England on Thursday left interest rates unchanged at 4.75%, despite an inflation rate that reached an eight-month high, pushed by services and wage increases. However three members of the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee voted for a rate reduction, while six insisted in keeping them on hold.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced Thursday that he was planning a constitutional reform to further democratize his country in addition to empowering the citizenry and consolidating freedom and national sovereignty. I have formed a team with great international and national advisors to think together with our people about a great constitutional reform that will further democratize Venezuelan society, Maduro said.
A message from Prime Minister Keir Starmer: It’s a real privilege to wish everyone in the Falkland Islands a very happy Christmas. It has been a year of change in the UK as we’ve brought in our new Government of service with that commitment to service extending to every one of you supporting your islands and the issues you care about, cheering you on in your successes and flying your flag proudly over Whitehall on Falklands Day.
Alejandro Stipanicic's resignation Thursday as president of Uruguay's State-run oil company Ancap stirred up the political arena in Montevideo leading up to the transition towards the new government of President-elect Yamandú Orsi.