
Standard Chartered bank is being fined US$1.1bn for violating US sanctions against Iran and over inadequate financial crime controls The penalties, imposed in connection with a range of different investigations in the US and the UK, all date back to before 2014.

Brazil’s government has triggered fierce criticism from scientists after announcing plans to tackle economic stagnation by implementing a government-wide budget freeze that could see research funding cut by up to 42%.

China on Tuesday said it would push further to open its economy and deepen ties with the EU, which has grown increasingly wary of Beijing's influence in Europe. EU Council president Donald Tusk hailed Beijing's new commitments at an EU-China summit in Brussels as a breakthrough with both sides committed to globalization and pursuing international rules.

British Prime Minister Theresa May toured Berlin and Paris on Tuesday to plead for an extension to the deadline for Brexit, which looked increasingly likely to be approved by EU leaders at a crunch meeting in Brussels.

The Falkland Islands Government announced on Tuesday the appointment of Richard Hyslop as the new UK Representative, succeeding Sukey Cameron MBE who retires from the post in October 2019, after 36 years of service within FIG, 29 of which were as UK Representative.

Latin American stocks were flat on Monday, partly subdued by delays in important pension reform in Brazil, while currencies in the region rose against a weak dollar but Argentina's peso hovered around record-low levels on political uncertainty and the highest country risk so far this year.

The defense of Florencia Kirchner presented before the Federal Oral Court 5 in charge of the “Los Sauces” case, her complete medical record and her residence address in Cuba on Monday, as requested by the Argentine Justice.

The Gibraltar Parliament unanimously passed legislation to enable Gibraltar to vote in the European election in May should this become necessary because of delays to Brexit. The parliament approved an amendment to primary legislation to ensure the electoral register for the European Union election is ready despite the short window of time available.

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday started a last-minute flurry of European diplomacy that includes visits to Paris and Berlin as she prepares for a make-or-break Brexit summit. Still struggling to get her EU divorce deal through parliament, May is hoping European Union leaders will agree on Wednesday to delay Brexit for a second time to stop Britain crashing out of the bloc two days later.

Venezuela will “fulfill its commitments” to Cuba despite United States sanctions targeting oil shipments from Maracaibo to its ideological ally, Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said on Monday.