Stories for August 2017

Sunday, August 6th 2017 - 22:38 UTC
Bumper crops anticipate tough corn battle between leading exporters US and Brazil

Brazilian farmers are in the midst of collecting their biggest corn harvest ever, and American supplies are also plentiful -- setting the stage for a stiff battle to win world buyers in the second half of the year.
Sunday, August 6th 2017 - 11:58 UTC
US unemployment drops to 4.3%, but hourly earnings remain flat

The United States economy added a solid 209,000 jobs in July, exceeding economists’ estimates as the labor market shows few signs of slowing down. The unemployment rate last month fell to 4.3% from 4.4%, the Labor Department reported on Friday.
Sunday, August 6th 2017 - 04:53 UTC
UN, including Beijing., agrees tough sanctions on North Korea banning more than a third of the country's exports

The United Nations Security Council approved tough new sanctions on North Korea on Saturday including a ban on coal and other exports totaling more than US$1 billion — a huge bite in its total exports, valued at US$3 billion last year. U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley praised the new sanctions, telling council members after the vote that it is “the single largest economic package ever leveled against the North Korean regime.”
Sunday, August 6th 2017 - 00:23 UTC
Venezuela suspended indefinitely: “Without democracy, you can't be part of Mercosur”

Mercosur foreign ministers meeting on Saturday in Brazil suspended Venezuela indefinitely for failing to uphold democratic norms amid an intensifying crackdown on dissent in the country. The bloc previously suspended Venezuela in December for failing to uphold commitments it made when it joined the group in 2012.
Sunday, August 6th 2017 - 00:10 UTC
Maduro's assembly sacks dissident attorney general; next target elected members of the Legislative

The newly installed constitutional assembly ousted Venezuela's defiant chief prosecutor on Saturday, a sign that President Nicolas Maduro's embattled government intends to move swiftly against critics and consolidate power amid a fast-moving political crisis.
Saturday, August 5th 2017 - 11:49 UTC
Brexit will happen despite the “density of problems” says Juncker

Brexit will still happen despite the UK becoming more aware of the “density of problems” during withdrawal negotiations, Jean-Claude Juncker has said. The European Commission president indicated he disagreed with the Maltese prime minister Joseph Muscat, who reportedly said last week he saw “hopeful signs” that “Brexit will not happen”.
Saturday, August 5th 2017 - 08:21 UTC
Ireland calls for “unique solutions” to preserve UK/EU relations after Brexit

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has called for “unique solutions” to preserve the relationship between the UK and the European Union after Brexit. On his first official visit to Northern Ireland, he raised the possibility of a bilateral UK-EU customs union, and described Brexit as “the challenge of this generation”.
Saturday, August 5th 2017 - 07:55 UTC
Mercosur foreign ministers will discuss the Venezuela situation in Brazil

Mercosur foreign ministers are scheduled to meet this Saturday in Sao Paulo to decide on to how to address latest events in Venezuela, the fifth member of the group which remains suspended, and so far has not replied to calls to cancel the constituent assembly procedure and attempt some form of dialogue with the political opposition.
Saturday, August 5th 2017 - 07:37 UTC
The political motive behind football’s biggest transfer

by Luke Blackstock -The change of employer for 25-year-old, Brazilian footballer Neymar da Silva Santos Jr and a diplomatic crisis halfway around the world apparently have no link. Neymar has become the world’s most expensive footballer after signing for Paris Saint-Germain, and priced away from one of its biggest clubs.
Saturday, August 5th 2017 - 06:54 UTC
Standard Chartered moves European base to Frankfurt because of Brexit

Standard Chartered is set to spend about US$20m to turn its Frankfurt office into a European base due to Brexit. The bank plans to create a subsidiary at its German branch to maintain access to the European market after Britain withdraws from the European Union.