International

• Monday, July 11th 2016 - 06:20 UTC

  The Pound beats the Argentine Peso as worst performing currency in 2016

  

  The pound has beaten the Argentine peso to become 2016's worst performing currency after it plunged to a 31-year low in the aftermath of the decision to leave the EU. Sterling dipped below US$1.30 for the first time since 1985 in the second week after the European referendum.

• Monday, July 11th 2016 - 06:12 UTC

  Disenchantment with Trump and Hillary makes room for an alternative candidate, shows Reuters/Ipsos poll

  

  A public opinion poll from Ipsos, contracted and publishes by Reuters shows that United States citizens demand for an alternative to the two main presidential candidates has surged since the last election, underscoring the unpopularity of Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton.

• Monday, July 11th 2016 - 06:07 UTC

  Brazilian army take to the streets in a display of force in anticipation of the Olympic Games

  

  Brazilian soldiers were on the streets last Saturday, checking out spots around the city that will get intense security when the Rio de Janeiro Olympics open in under four weeks. Armored vehicles and trucks carrying troops were accompanied by soldiers decked out in camouflage gear and matching helmets, with rifles slung over their shoulders. The soldiers covered the city, from Copacabana Beach to the central train station and the renovated port area.

• Monday, July 11th 2016 - 05:12 UTC

  Raw sewage and super-bacteria off Rio beaches threaten Olympic water competitions

  

  A group of Brazilian scientists has just discovered a drug-resistant super-bacteria growing off some of Rio de Janeiro’s beaches, with less than a month to go until the 2016 Olympic Games officially commence, which will be hosted by the city from August 5.

• Monday, July 11th 2016 - 05:08 UTC

  Meirelles budget lower deficit objective prevails in the Temer administration

  

  Brazil set a smaller 2017 primary deficit target than initially envisioned, in an attempt to show greater austerity after an increase in spending raised doubts about the government's fiscal discipline. The central government primary deficit target was set at 139 billion Reais (US$41.32 billion) for 2017, a figure well below the 160 billion Reais it initially considered.

• Monday, July 11th 2016 - 05:04 UTC

  Brazil's six-month inflation remains above same period last year and central bank target

  

  Inflation in Brazil fell in June by 0.35% to an annual rate of 8.84%, but remains almost double the government target, official figures showed. This was an improvement from May, when inflation hit 9.32%, temporarily reversing a three-month falling trend.

• Saturday, July 9th 2016 - 09:57 UTC

  PAHO/WHO congratulates Uruguay for successfully defending tobacco control policies, “a model for the region”

  

  The Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) congratulated n Friday the Government of Uruguay for winning an international legal case brought by the Philip Morris tobacco company. Philip Morris challenged tobacco control regulations implemented by Uruguay in compliance with its obligations under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the world's first international public health treaty negotiated under the auspices of WHO.

• Saturday, July 9th 2016 - 09:29 UTC

  Ex Guantanamo Diyab could be in Brazil, but he “is not infringing the law or on the run”

  

  Jihad Ahmad Diyab, the ex Guantanamo Syrian inmate which was liberated and given refuge in Uruguay, and apparently recently crossed the border to neighboring Brazil “has not infringed any law” and is “not on the run”, according to Christian Mirza who acts as a link between the Uruguayan government and the ex Guantanamo prisoners accepted by Uruguay at the end of 2014.

• Saturday, July 9th 2016 - 07:26 UTC

  Uruguay wins lead case against Philip Morris over strict anti-tobacco law

  

  Uruguay won on Friday an arbitration case against US tobacco giant Philip Morris, which sued the state claiming its strict anti-tobacco law harmed the cigarette maker's business, both sides said. Philip Morris argued that Uruguay had violated terms of a bilateral investment treaty with Switzerland, where it has its main headquarters.

• Saturday, July 9th 2016 - 06:15 UTC

  International anti tobacco philanthropies hail Uruguay´s legal victory against Philip Morris

  

  In a historic public health victory that will be felt around the world, Uruguay has won an international legal battle against Philip Morris International to uphold its strong laws to reduce tobacco use. The event was underlined by international philanthropies, which also supported Uruguay during the litigation.