Politics

Thursday, January 16th 2020 - 08:51 UTC
Secret operation in Australia to save prehistoric species “dinosaur trees”

A secret operation by specialist firefighters has saved the world's last stand of Wollemi Pines, a pre-historic species known as “dinosaur trees”, from Australia's unprecedented bushfires, officials said.
Thursday, January 16th 2020 - 08:49 UTC
Brazil planning to sell assets worth some US$ 36,3 billion during this fiscal year

Brazil hopes to sell assets worth 150 billion reais (US$ 36.33 billion) in 2020, privatizations secretary Salim Mattar said, adding that the focus this year will be on selling subsidiaries of Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA (ELET6.SA).
Thursday, January 16th 2020 - 08:28 UTC
“Contaminated drinking water” in Rio: run on bottled-water in supermarkets

Widespread complaints over foul-smelling drinking water in Rio de Janeiro have triggered a run on supermarket bottled water, though the public utility denied any health risk on Wednesday.
Thursday, January 16th 2020 - 07:00 UTC
Lopez Obrador admits no buyers for the US$ 130 million presidential plane

Mexico’s president said admitted the government has so far failed to sell his predecessor’s luxury US$ 130 million plane that he has slammed as a trapping of power and opulence of an out-of-touch ruling elite.
Wednesday, January 15th 2020 - 09:57 UTC
Ticket purchase in Argentina for flights to the Falklands will not be subject to the 30% tax

The purchase of tickets in Argentina to the Falklands, South Georgia and South Sandwich islands will not the subject to the 30% tax recently approved by the Argentine Congress and extensive to all overseas travel. The decree with the details is expected to be published in the Official Gazette later this week, according to the Argentine federal tax revenue office, AFIP.
Wednesday, January 15th 2020 - 09:55 UTC
US supports Brazil as first bid to join OECD, ahead of Argentina

The United States' change of stance to support Brazil's bid to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) ahead of Argentina was welcomed by the Brazilian government on Tuesday.
Wednesday, January 15th 2020 - 09:50 UTC
Bolsonaro says documentary on the downfall of ex president Rousseff is rubbish

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday dismissed an Oscar-nominated Netflix documentary about the 2016 impeachment of leftist ex-leader Dilma Rousseff as “rubbish.”
Wednesday, January 15th 2020 - 09:50 UTC
Buenos Aires province negotiating an extension on a US$ 250m bond payment on January 26

Buenos Aires province bonds added to recent losses on Tuesday after the provincial government asked holders for an extension on a more than US$ 250 million payment due later this month, dragging Argentina’s debt lower as well.
Wednesday, January 15th 2020 - 09:16 UTC
Benedict trying to distance himself from a controversial book with passages on celibacy

Retired former pope Benedict XVI sought to calm a dispute within the Vatican on Tuesday, claiming his name was erroneously attributed as co-author to a new book with a conservative cardinal.
Wednesday, January 15th 2020 - 09:05 UTC
US-China sign Phase One of trade deal, but some tariffs to remain until completion of Phase Two

The United States will maintain tariffs on Chinese goods until the completion of a second phase of a United States-China trade agreement, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Tuesday, a day before the two sides are to sign an interim deal.