Stories for February 2018

Friday, February 9th 2018 - 10:45 UTC
Bank of England expects pace of interest rate increases to accelerate

The Bank of England has indicated that the pace of interest rate increases could accelerate if the economy remains on its current track. Bank policymakers voted unanimously to keep interest rates on hold at 0.5% at their latest meeting. However, they said rates would need to rise “earlier” and by a “somewhat greater extent” than they thought at their last review in November. Economists think the next rate rise could come as soon as May.
Friday, February 9th 2018 - 10:31 UTC
National Geographic apologizes for publishing Malvinas pictures as from the Falklands

National Geographic has apologized to Tierra del Fuego governor Rosana Bertone for publishing in Instagram pictures identified as taken in the Falklands, instead of the Malvinas Islands. According to Ushuaia reports, aware of this situation, the Environment Secretary of Tierra del Fuego Mauro Pérez Toscani, on instructions from Ms Bertone addressed the National Geographic Foundation to express disappointment and demaning rectification of the Malvinas controversy.
Friday, February 9th 2018 - 10:16 UTC
Brazilian inflation in January below the official Central bank target

Lower power tariffs pulled Brazil's inflation rate below the official target range and even the lowest of forecasts in January. Consumer prices tracked by the benchmark IPCA index rose 2.86% in the twelve months through January, government statistics agency IBGE said on Thursday.
Friday, February 9th 2018 - 10:12 UTC
Colombia and Brazil tighten controls along Venezuelan border: thousands pouring in

Colombia and Brazil tightened border controls with Venezuela on Thursday as both nations grapple with a mounting influx of hundreds of thousands of desperate migrants fleeing a worsening economic crisis In a visit to the border region, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said he would impose stricter migratory controls, suspend new daily entry cards for Venezuelans and deploy 3,000 new security personnel along the frontier, including 2,120 more soldiers.
Friday, February 9th 2018 - 10:08 UTC
Japanese companies Brexit warning: no profits, no private company can continue

Japan's ambassador to the UK has said Brexit is a high stakes issue and that no company would be able to stay in the UK if it was not profitable. Koji Tsuruoka was speaking outside Number 10 after a meeting between Prime Minister Theresa May and 19 top Japanese bosses.
Friday, February 9th 2018 - 10:03 UTC
Falklands protects wildlife in the breeding and moulting season

A Falkland Islands government calls for prudence, respect, and distance, to protect wildlife in the breeding and moulting season. ”The public are advised that during the summer season, moulting or breeding penguins and wildlife come ashore around the islands to rest and/or care for their young.
Friday, February 9th 2018 - 09:56 UTC
As Dow Jones plunges 10% points, fears of a bear market and ripples effects on the economy

The United States Dow Jones industrial average nosedived more than 1,000 points on Thursday, registering another eye-popping loss for the closely-followed index, as wild trading and fears of rising interest rates around the world took hold of traders. The Dow as well as the S&P 500, a broader stock index, are now down more than 10% from their all-time highs, passing an important psychological barrier known as a “correction” for the first time in two years.
Friday, February 9th 2018 - 09:54 UTC
Brazilian congress member arrested on arrival from the US; he must spend five years in jail

Brazil's federal police have arrested a congressman on corruption charges at Sao Paulo's international airport, saying they feared he could try to escape to Paraguay. A panel of the country's top court this week ordered the arrest of Congressman Joao Rodrigues after his corruption conviction was upheld by a federal court.
Thursday, February 8th 2018 - 17:19 UTC
Goose Green Liberated of Landmines after more than 35 Years

As Mercopress have reported in a series of articles over the past eight years, the Falkland Islands are slowly being cleared of the landmines laid by Argentine forces during the 1982 war. Last week this process reached a key milestone when Goose Green settlement, the site of a key battle in late May 1982, was announced as being mine-free.
Thursday, February 8th 2018 - 11:24 UTC
Venezuelan presidential elections for April 22

Venezuela's questioned electoral council has set April 22 as the date for a controversial presidential election, which was supposed to occur late 2018. The opposition accuses President Nicolas Maduro of using to plan a second term for himself.