International

• Thursday, December 1st 2016 - 18:26 UTC

  Temer admits Brazil “lacks solid institutions”, but foreigners are eager to invest in the country

  

  President Michel Temer said that “Brazil doesn’t have solid institutions” and that is why, “small factoids” menace the country’s institutional framework. Temer made such statements during an event Monday evening with private businessmen.

• Thursday, December 1st 2016 - 18:14 UTC

  Brazil anticipates blockbuster 2017 harvest and exports

  

  Brazil is getting ready for a blockbuster 2017 harvest and booming exports, amid favorable weather forecasts, according to recent estimates. With a plentiful harvest expected, Brazil’s National Grain Association predicts grain exports will rebound, with soybean exports of 60 MT in 2017, compared with some 51 MT for 2016. Corn exports will increase to 30 MT, compared with some 18.5 MT in 2016, the association reported.

• Thursday, December 1st 2016 - 18:12 UTC

  Petition to impeach President Temer mostly symbolic but erodes his political standing

  

  Brazilian opposition party filed a petition for the impeachment of President Michel Temer, underlining the growing difficulties facing the centre-right leader as he tries to introduce austerity reforms.

• Thursday, December 1st 2016 - 15:30 UTC

  Russia ready to do its part as OPEC countries agree on oil output cut

  

  As the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has reached a deal among all 14 members to cut oil production for the first time since 2008, Russia's Energy Minister Alexander Novak said his country was ready to do its part by reducing 300,000 barrels per day in the first half of 2017, provided OPEC adheres to the level of 32.5 mln barrels daily adjusted for Indonesia and on condition of maximum reciprocity from other non-OPEC countries. Russia is not an OPEC member.

• Thursday, December 1st 2016 - 13:01 UTC

  UK Faster entry available to Chile with the Registered Traveller Service

  

  Regular visitors to the UK from Chile, as with other founding members of Mercosur, are now eligible to apply to join the UK’s Registered Traveller Service. The Service provides approved members, who have undergone advanced security checks an expedited clearance through the UK border.

• Thursday, December 1st 2016 - 12:17 UTC

  PM May and Trump talk about UK/US relationship and the role of NATO

  

  Minister Theresa May spoke on Tuesday with President-elect Donald Trump about building close UK-US relationships and about the role of NATO. A Downing Street spokesperson said ”the Prime Minister called the US President-elect this afternoon as part of establishing a regular dialogue between both of them.

• Thursday, December 1st 2016 - 11:56 UTC

  UK defence and security relationship underlined at Chile´s Exponaval 2016

  

  Innovation, partnership and technology transfer are the main themes as the UK is showing a strong commitment to the UK/Chilean defence relationship by sending two Royal Navy ships to Exponaval 2016 in Valparaiso, Chile. The Type 23 Frigate HMS Portland is making its first visit to Chile along with Royal Fleet Auxiliary RFA Gold Rover.

• Thursday, December 1st 2016 - 10:26 UTC

  Sir Cosmo thanks Falklands' people and lawmakers for his 100th birthday gift

  

  Lady Haskard has sent a message from former Falkland Islands governor Sir Cosmo Haskard thanking the Falklands people and lawmakers for the gift of the painting of Government House for his 100th birthday (November 25). The message was received by Sukey Cameron, MBE, Falklands' government representative in London and stated the following:

• Wednesday, November 30th 2016 - 12:04 UTC

  Putin an “emblem of struggle for the mutlipolar world,” says Maduro

  

  “Putin's victories are our victories,” Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro told Russia's State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin on Tuesday during funerary ceremonies in Havana to mark the passing away of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

• Wednesday, November 30th 2016 - 11:16 UTC

  Partial ban on burqa wearing in public sees first green light in Netherlands Parliament

  

  Members of Parliament on Tuesday voted to ban the Islamic full-face burqa from public places in The Netherlands, such as schools, hospitals and public transport. It was the latest such move in a European country.