Economy

• Wednesday, December 6th 2017 - 16:33 UTC

  Europe makes official a blacklist of 17 non-EU it describes as tax havens

  

  The European Union has put 17 non-EU countries on a blacklist of those it deems guilty of unfairly offering tax avoidance schemes, prompting protest from Panama's president. EU vice president Valdis Dombrovskis said after a meeting of the bloc's finance ministers that beyond the 17 nations, over 40 more were put on a “grey list” to be monitored until they are fully committed to reforms.

• Wednesday, December 6th 2017 - 16:14 UTC

  Brazil services activity in November shrinks the most in nine months

  

  Brazilian services activity in November shrank the most in nine months, a private survey showed on Tuesday, highlighting the nation's uneven recovery from the deepest recession in a century. The Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for the Brazilian services sector compiled by research firm Markit fell to 46.9 from 48.8 in October. Readings below 50 indicate contraction in activity.

• Tuesday, December 5th 2017 - 14:06 UTC

  Bitcoin and other virtual currencies on Scotland Yard radar because of money laundering

  

  The anti-money laundering regulations should be updated to include Bitcoin and other virtual currencies, the UK Treasury has said. The Metropolitan Police says criminals are using crypto-currency cash machines to launder money in London.

• Tuesday, December 5th 2017 - 14:01 UTC

  Brazil opens areas for exploration and production of oil and gas

  

  Brazil's National Agency for Oil, Natural Gas, and Biofuels (ANP) announced the areas for the exploration and production of oil and natural gas to be made available as part of a new, permanent-offer system. The move covers 846 blocks of 13 sedimentary basins, adding up to some 285,400 square kilometers.

• Monday, December 4th 2017 - 14:29 UTC

  Despite a poor November, Brazilian trade surplus is 43% higher year to year

  

  Brazil's trade balance posted a US$ 3.546 billion surplus in November, 31.8% lower than the US$ 5.201 billion in October and 25.4% down from November 2016, according to government data.

• Monday, December 4th 2017 - 08:56 UTC

  Hard Brexit puts at risk the Good Friday Agreement, Tony Blair tells BBC

  

  The Good Friday Agreement is “at risk because of Brexit” after the UK leaves the EU, former prime minister Tony Blair has told the BBC. UK and Irish membership of the EU was “central” to the 1998 deal, he told BBC Radio 4's The World This Weekend. Free movement on the border had been key to reaching an agreement, he said.

• Monday, December 4th 2017 - 07:33 UTC

  US Congress begins work on major tax reform compromise bill

  

  United States House and Senate lawmakers return to Capitol Hill on Monday to begin working on a major tax cut compromise bill -- just two days after GOP senators narrowly approved their chamber’s plan on a 51-to-49 vote. The House, which has a larger Republican majority, approved its version last month.

• Monday, December 4th 2017 - 07:27 UTC

  Tusk warns UK on post-Brexit offer: “if unacceptable for Ireland, is also unacceptable for EU”

  

  The EU will refuse Britain’s demand for talks on a post-Brexit transition and future trade pact if Ireland is not satisfied with London’s offer on border arrangements with Northern Ireland, European Council President Donald Tusk said this weekend.

• Monday, December 4th 2017 - 07:11 UTC

  UK cabinet minister tells hardliners: “it's Brexit or no Brexit; Support PM May”

  

  There will be no Brexit at all unless Theresa May is supported, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt warned saying it was not about a choice between “this Brexit and that Brexit”. He was speaking as leading Brexit campaigners issued demands for Mrs May before agreeing any payments to the EU, including ending the European court's jurisdiction the moment the UK leaves.

• Saturday, December 2nd 2017 - 09:45 UTC

  Argentina climbs one level in Moody's rating, but still below investment grade

  

  Argentina’s credit rating was raised one level by Moody’s Investors Service as President Mauricio Macri’s macroeconomic reform policies seem to have started to take hold, bolstering optimism about the nation’s long-term prospects.