International

• Thursday, December 15th 2016 - 11:46 UTC

  Sweden's military back to Cold War era mode in view of Russia's expansion

  

  Sweden's Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), an authority operating under the Defense Ministry and tasked with civil protection, public safety, emergency management and civil defense, has instructed local governments to reactivate the “Total Defense Strategy” civil defense procedures from the Cold War and be prepared for an armed conflict because “the security situation in our region has deteriorated.”

• Thursday, December 15th 2016 - 10:49 UTC

  European summit overwhelmend with challenges and a more uncertain future

  

  Leaders of the European Union meet on Thursday in Brussels for a summit fraught with disputes on how to handle the many crises they face, bar on possibly the biggest rift of all, how to handle Brexit. After a day of talks on migrants, Turkey, Russia, defense in the era of Donald Trump and the Euro zone economy in the age of austerity, leaders will see British Prime Minister Theresa May out and then agree over dinner how to get rid of her for good.

• Thursday, December 15th 2016 - 09:58 UTC

  Putin, most powerful world person for the fourth time running; Trump on second spot

  

  Russian President Vladimir Putin again leads Forbes' list of the world's most powerful people, followed by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the No. 2 spot. The annual ranking of 74 individuals was released Wednesday. It considers personal influence, financial resources, whether the person can affect a country's GDP or a company's value, and their power in multiple spheres as factors in determining the list.

• Thursday, December 15th 2016 - 00:18 UTC

  Fed raises rate 25 points to 0.75%, anticipates further increases while US dollar jumps in Asian markets

  

  The U.S. Federal Reserve increased its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point to a range of between 0.5 and 0.75%. The higher rate will affect the what savers and borrowers get on their variable rate products from banks, and the fine print of the bank's policy decision shows that a majority of Fed members expect more rate hikes to come, as many as three in the next 12 months, after previously signaling it was expecting only two.

• Wednesday, December 14th 2016 - 15:24 UTC

  Double taxation: Ecuador, Italy sign agreement to foster private investements

  

  Ecuador signed an agreement with Italy to define the tax obligations of the citizens of the two countries, in order to avoid double taxation on income taxes and equity and prevent tax evasion, the Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry said.

• Wednesday, December 14th 2016 - 14:54 UTC

  Philippine President Duterte admits avoiding Obama at APEC summit on false pretexts

  

  Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte acknowledged he skipped an evening event at the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima to avoid having to shake hands with Barack Obama. In a speech published Tuesday in a Manila newspaper, Duterte made it clear his absence had not been due to a an upset stomach, but rather a move to avoid an awkward situation.

• Wednesday, December 14th 2016 - 05:10 UTC

  Trump challenges Congress and nominates close friend of Putin, Rex Tillerson Secretary of State

  

  Donald Trump officially announced his plan Tuesday to nominate ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as secretary of state, a pick that could pose complications in the confirmation process due to Tillerson's ties to Russia. Tillerson, 64, has no government or diplomatic experience but has done extensive work overseas on behalf of his petroleum company.

• Tuesday, December 13th 2016 - 16:17 UTC

  Sorry, “no fish and chips, what about some squid and chips”; UK waters warming

  

  The traditional British fish supper could be replaced by the likes of squid as the waters around the UK's shores grow warmer, say government scientists. Squid and other fish that thrive in warmer waters, such as sardines and anchovy, are flourishing around the North Sea, according to fisheries data. Squid are now being caught at 60% of survey stations in the North Sea, compared with 20% in the 1980s, but the likes of cod are heading north, away from British waters.

• Tuesday, December 13th 2016 - 15:31 UTC

  .Bearish market for commodities and protectionism impact on Latin American exports

  

  Latin American and Caribbean exports are expected to fall approximately US$50 billion, or 6%, in 2016, a lower contraction rate than the 15% observed in 2015. This relative improvement was mainly due to a rebound of commodity prices, according to a report conducted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) using detailed data for 24 countries in the region. The value of total exports should reach US$850 billion in 2016.

• Tuesday, December 13th 2016 - 10:45 UTC

  Cuba, Europe normalize relations after 20 years

  

  Cuba and the Eurpean Union Monday signed in Brussels their first cooperation agreement, which will be from now on the legal basis of the link between the island and the 28 EU countries.