Stories for April 25th 2018

Wednesday, April 25th 2018 - 15:17 UTC
Repression and protests in Nicaragua do not mitigate: Daniel Ortega as Nicolás Maduro?

“Ortega and Somoza are the same thing” protesters in Nicaragua yelled last week against the government of Daniel Ortega, after the announcement of a Social Security's reform that unleashed a wave of protests marked by repression and excessive use of force by the authorities. Human rights organizations have announced that at least 30 people have died in the demonstrations, including students, police and a journalist. This surprise wave of civil protests suggests comparing the crisis in the Central American country with the lived in the Venezuela of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro for years.
Wednesday, April 25th 2018 - 09:18 UTC
Trump/Macron summit: much personal chemistry but not so in the Iran issue

President Trump vowed Tuesday to look for common ground with his French counterpart in dealing with Iran but made no commitment to stick with the nuclear agreement he described as “insane” and “ridiculous.” Receiving French President Emmanuel Macron for a state visit at the White House, Trump repeated his criticism of the agreement to freeze Iran's nuclear program, saying it doesn't address Tehran's missile program or its attempts to foment unrest in the region.
Wednesday, April 25th 2018 - 09:14 UTC
The yield for 10-year US Treasury bonds breaks 3% yield rattling markets

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield has broken through the “psychologically important” level of 3%, leaving analysts contemplating what it could mean the future of asset markets and, more importantly, the global economy. The yield on the benchmark bond — which helps to set prices for debt instruments all over the world — inched past 3% on Tuesday, a level that many market players deem dangerous for investments and the economy.
Wednesday, April 25th 2018 - 09:06 UTC
Tons of frozen micro-plastics found trapped in the floating ice of the Arctic

Record levels of micro-plastics have been found trapped inside sea ice floating in the Arctic. Ice cores gathered across the Arctic Ocean reveal micro-plastics at concentrations two to three times higher than previously recorded. As sea ice melts with climate change, the plastic will be released back into the water, with unknown effects on wildlife, say German scientists.
Wednesday, April 25th 2018 - 09:04 UTC
Setback for Trump: Federal judge rules in support of “Dreamers” program

A federal judge has ruled against the Trump administration's decision to end a program protecting some young immigrants from deportation. US District Judge John D Bates in Washington says the Department of Homeland Security's decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program “was unlawful and must be set aside.”
Wednesday, April 25th 2018 - 08:59 UTC
Brazilian company buys Shell downstream assets in Argentina

Brazil’s Raizen Combustiveis SA agreed to buy downstream assets in Argentina from Royal Dutch Shell for US$ 950 million, according to a securities filing on Tuesday. Raízen Combustiveis, a joint venture between Brazil´s Cosan SA Indústria e Comércio and Shell, will have a 20% market share in fuel distribution in Argentina.
Wednesday, April 25th 2018 - 08:50 UTC
Paraguay soy farmers hopeful newly elected Senate will not slap levy on exports

Paraguay's business-friendly ruling party lost fewer seats in Sunday's Senate election, than expected, ensuring strict fiscal policies while lessening chances of a tax hike on the key soy sector. Farmers in the world's No. 4 soybean exporter had feared that the new Senate might approves a measure, defeated last year, that would slap a 10% levy on exports.
Wednesday, April 25th 2018 - 08:46 UTC
Argentina central bank holds benchmark rate at 27.25%; economy expands 4.7% in first two months

Argentina’s central bank held its benchmark interest rate at 27.25% on Tuesday, reiterating in a statement that high-frequency indicators suggested core inflation would remain high in April, but below March levels.
Wednesday, April 25th 2018 - 08:39 UTC
”Falklands (UK)” reference in Heineken H41 beer bottles condemned in Argentine social networks

Heineken brewery has been caught red handed with one of its beers' label referring to the disputed South Atlantic islands as “Falklands” and in brackets saying they belong to the United Kingdom, despite the fact the Dutch company is using Patagonian yeast.
Wednesday, April 25th 2018 - 08:30 UTC
Whatsapp is banning under-16s from using its platform in the European Union

Popular messaging service Whatsapp is banning under-16s from using its platform in the European Union. Users must currently be at least 13, but the firm is changing the rules ahead of the introduction of new EU data privacy regulations in May.