Stories for April 19th 2017

Wednesday, April 19th 2017 - 21:12 UTC
World Bank praise for Latam countries pursuing counter-cyclical fiscal policies

In a positive development, today more than ever before, Latin American and Caribbean countries are pursuing counter-cyclical fiscal policies - spending more in bad times and saving in good times, according to a new World Bank semiannual report for the region.
Wednesday, April 19th 2017 - 14:38 UTC
Brazilian economy gives signs of recovery, but many challenges remain

Economic activity in Brazil grew in February at the fastest pace since January 2010, a central bank indicator showed this week, in the strongest sign yet that Latin America's largest economy is emerging from a two-year recession. Bumper harvests are expected to have lifted agricultural production in the first quarter of the year, while industrial output improved on a pickup in car exports.
Wednesday, April 19th 2017 - 14:27 UTC
Police unions storm Congress in Brasilia to protest pension reform bill

Brazilian President Michel Temer on Tuesday made new concessions to ease passage of an unpopular pension reform bill, leading police unions to try and invade Congress in the latest angry demonstration from a labor group.
Wednesday, April 19th 2017 - 06:03 UTC
“Mother of all marches” in Venezuela; Maduro reacts by pledging 500.000 civilian militias

As Venezuela’s center-right opposition prepares to stage “the mother of all marches” this Wednesday to protest President Nicolas Maduro’s efforts to consolidate power, the besieged leader has called for a countermarch and declared plans to expand the country’s civilian militias.
Wednesday, April 19th 2017 - 05:58 UTC
Special by election turned into a challenge to Trump ends in a June runoff

The special election for United States Georgia’s 6th Congressional District will go to a runoff in June, CNN projects, as no candidate secured 50% or more of the vote. Democrat Jon Ossoff and Republican Karen Handel will face off, following a race that had 18 candidates.
Wednesday, April 19th 2017 - 05:49 UTC
The disputed FIH Group plans to release this week a trading update

FIH Group PLC said on Tuesday it plans to release a trading update later this week which will outline its anticipated results for the recently ended financial year while also updating shareholders on the future strategy following failed takeover offers for the firm.
Wednesday, April 19th 2017 - 05:36 UTC
Le Pen promises voters a moratorium on legal immigration: “Give us France back”

Far-right French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen called for a moratorium on legal immigration in a Paris campaign speech. As her campaign reaches its final week before the first round of elections, it was the first time Le Pen said she would, as president, suspend all immigration to France.
Wednesday, April 19th 2017 - 05:17 UTC
French police foil “imminent and violent attack” ahead of Sunday's presidential election

Two Frenchmen arrested in Marseille on Tuesday planned an “imminent and violent attack” ahead of the first round of the presidential election on Sunday, France's interior minister said. France's internal intelligence agency, which had been looking for the two suspects for more than a week, had warned main candidates in the election that there was a threat to their security, campaign officials said.
Wednesday, April 19th 2017 - 04:59 UTC
The snap election and consequences seen from the European Union

Prime Minister Theresa May announcement of a June snap election could strengthen her hand in the Brexit negotiations but the rest of the European Union was firm about its position in the two-year talks, insisting that their stance would be unchanged whatever the result.
Wednesday, April 19th 2017 - 04:36 UTC
Gibraltar's football upbeat: FIFA will finance an UEFA category 4 stadium

The Gibraltar Football Association is to buy the Victoria Stadium from the Gibraltar Government, in a move that paves the way for local football teams to play international games at home and, in parallel, will trigger a £16.5m investment in new sport infrastructure around the Rock, reports the Gibraltar Chronicle.