Stories for January 4th 2018

Thursday, January 4th 2018 - 10:03 UTC
Liberal leader pledges Lords should check an abuse of power by government with Brexit

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable has defended plans to use his party’s strength in the House of Lords to fight Brexit, even though he views the unelected chamber as a “bad system” that he did not want to be a member of. Sir Vince said the Lords had limited political impact, but the upper house should be used to check an “abuse of powers” by the Government.
Thursday, January 4th 2018 - 09:58 UTC
Brucellosis outbreak at Paraguay Vet School triggers alarm bells for the industry

An outbreak of brucellosis at the Veterinary School of the Asunción University in Paraguay, FCV-UNA, has cost the academic center its international certification, and has become a shameful experience for a country which is among the top world beef exporters.
Thursday, January 4th 2018 - 09:41 UTC
Trump rings to congratulate president elect Piñera and invites him to the White House

United States President Donald J. Trump spoke on Wednesday with President-elect Sebastian Piñera of Chile to congratulate him on his victory in the Chilean presidential runoff election. President Trump emphasized his desire to work closely with Mr. Piñera on issues of mutual interest.
Thursday, January 4th 2018 - 09:34 UTC
Brazilian Industry minister steps down; he's expected to run for Congress

Brazilian Industry Minister Marcos Pereira resigned on Wednesday, becoming the third cabinet minister to quit in a month.
Thursday, January 4th 2018 - 09:18 UTC
Petrobras agrees to pay US$ 2.95bn to settle class action suit in New York

Petrobras has agreed to pay US$2.95 billion to settle a class action suit in New York brought on behalf of investors harmed by a huge corruption scandal at the Brazilian state oil giant, the company said on Wednesday.
Thursday, January 4th 2018 - 08:05 UTC
UK farmers growing concern about a post Brexit scenario

Post-Brexit trade deals could pose the biggest peacetime threat to the UK's food security if welfare standards and farmers are not protected, MPs say. Imports of food produced with lower welfare standards should not be allowed, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Agro-ecology warns.
Thursday, January 4th 2018 - 06:08 UTC
Bannon “has lost him mind” lashes out Trump about his former election strategist

United States president Donald Trump responded personally to his former chief strategist Steve Bannon’s comments about his family members Jared Kushner and Donald Trump Jr. The statement was released to reporters by press secretary Sarah Sanders prior to the White House Wednesday press briefing.
Thursday, January 4th 2018 - 05:38 UTC
China announces it will begin “a greater push” to conquer trade in the hemisphere

In a Spanish-language opinion piece in one of the nation’s largest newspapers, Chinese Ambassador to Argentina Yang Wanming urged Latin American nations to increase trade ties to China, promoting Beijing’s “One Belt One Road” project and warning Beijing will begin a “greater push” to conquer trade in the hemisphere.