Stories for January 22nd 2016

Friday, January 22nd 2016 - 12:41 UTC
Infantino proposes spreading FIFA' World Cup across regions and not limited to wealthy countries

The World Cup could be spread across entire regions, emulating the continent-wide 2020 European Championship, if Gianni Infantino wins the FIFA presidential election next month. The UEFA secretary general used his manifesto to say FIFA should not limit the tournament to be being held in one or two countries. The 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea was the only time the event has been co-hosted.
Friday, January 22nd 2016 - 09:46 UTC
As locals in Punta del Este, “we enjoy a dignified and happy life”

London's The Guardian in an article credited to Oliver Balch argues that Punta del Este, Uruguay's main international summer resort has become a 'golden ghetto' for the rich where the poor can't afford staples or lodging. However Mayor Andrés Jafif openly disagrees with the reporting and argues that ”we might be poor (by European standards) but we are happy, we can live in Punta del Este, we have a good time, we surf, work and bask in beaches”.
Friday, January 22nd 2016 - 09:35 UTC
Uber wins the bitter battle against London's black taxi trade

Uber have emerged victorious in their bitterly fought battle against London's black taxi trade. London mayor Boris Johnson threw out a series of proposals which would have heavily restricted the minicab booking app. The London mayor said he had rejected what he described as “neanderthal” and “ludicrous” calls from London taxi drivers to crack down on the company.
Friday, January 22nd 2016 - 07:32 UTC
New governor for St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha

Lisa Phillips is to succeed Mark Capes as Governor of St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha in April 2016.
Friday, January 22nd 2016 - 07:21 UTC
Ecuador disenchanted with OPEC policy will work as if the cartel 'did not exist'

Ecuador President Rafael Correa said that his government was “tired” of pushing OPEC to decrease output and that the nation would keep working as if the oil cartel “did not exist.”
Friday, January 22nd 2016 - 07:17 UTC
Argentina admits ”epidemic of (mosquito-borne) dengue fever”, including Buenos Aires city

The first cases of Dengue fever struck Buenos Aires City this week as a spate of outbreaks in Greater Buenos Aires and across Argentina’s northeast were labeled “an epidemic” by Health Minister Jorge Lemus.
Friday, January 22nd 2016 - 07:05 UTC
Lula furious over bribe allegations says he's the most honest man in Brazil

Brazil's ex president Lula da Silva declared that there is “no more honest living soul in the country” than him, as he angrily rejected new corruption allegations linking himself and some of his relatives to the corruption scandal involving state-run oil company Petrobras.
Friday, January 22nd 2016 - 06:58 UTC
Zika virus epidemic spreads in the region; women advised to delay pregnancy

The mosquito-borne Zika virus has already infected more than 13,500 people in Colombia and could hit as many as 700,000, the health minister said on Wednesday. According to Pan-American Health Organization figures, the country is second only to Brazil in infection rates, health minister Alejandro Gaviria told journalists.
Friday, January 22nd 2016 - 05:12 UTC
Banks don't discard credit-short Venezuela will undergo a 'credit event' in 2016

Slumping crude prices have investors and analysts warning of a potential messy default in Venezuela, with state-owned oil company PDVSA owing some US$10 billion in external debt payments due this year. With crude hovering around US$28 per barrel, Venezuela could have trouble satisfying its obligations.
Friday, January 22nd 2016 - 04:45 UTC
Macri/Cameron coincide on new relationship; Falklands left for further on

Argentine President Mauricio Macri met on Thursday with British Prime Minister David Cameron in Davos as both leaders attend the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. The atmosphere of the meeting was described as 'very positive' and several steps of a new relationship were announced, while the Falklands/Malvinas issue was left for further on.