Stories for August 13th 2018

Monday, August 13th 2018 - 21:13 UTC
Brazil's development bank plans to sell US$ 2.6bn stakes in local companies

Brazil's development bank BNDES plans to sell up to 10 billion reais (US$ 2.6 billion) in stakes its investment holding company owns in local companies, a senior executive announced. Investment director Eliane Lustosa said the holding company BNDESPar has already sold 6 billion reais in stocks owned in Brazilian companies this year.
Monday, August 13th 2018 - 19:53 UTC
Bayer confident glyphosate is safe for use and does not cause cancer

Pharmaceutical group Bayer has dismissed claims that an ingredient used in weed killers is carcinogenic. The German company, which owns agriculture giant Monsanto, says herbicides containing glyphosate are safe.
Monday, August 13th 2018 - 19:15 UTC
High seas fisheries not as important as believed, says joint scientific report

According to a recent study undertaken by a team of fisheries and social scientists from Dalhousie University, New York University, and National Geographic, fishing fleets operating outside of national waters contribute less than 3% to the world's seafood supply.
Monday, August 13th 2018 - 18:53 UTC
Venezuela appealing US$ 1.4bn compensation ruling, threatening Citgo

Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA is appealing a decision allowing Canadian miner Crystallex to take control of shares in U.S. subsidiary PDV Holdings as part of a 10 year dispute over the state takeover of Crystallex assets, a court filing shows.
Monday, August 13th 2018 - 10:09 UTC
Cristina Fernandez testifies on the “K notebooks” corruption scheme

Argentine ex president Cristina Fernandez has called on her followers not to accompany her when, this Monday, she gives testimony at the Court House before Judge Claudio Bonadío in relation to the so called “K notebooks”.
Monday, August 13th 2018 - 07:33 UTC
Bannon defends Johnson: “Boris has nothing to apologize for”

Former White House chief strategist Stephen Bannon on Sunday defended Boris Johnson amid controversy over the former British foreign secretary's comments that women who wear burqas look like “letterboxes” and “bank robbers.”
Monday, August 13th 2018 - 07:19 UTC
UK embassy supporting program to help Brazil's energy goals

As part of the UK Government’s Prosperity Fund, the British Embassy in Brazil is commissioning a study to assess various options for the governance structure of an Energy Centre to inform and support the Prosperity Fund Energy Program.
Monday, August 13th 2018 - 06:54 UTC
Environmental organizations warn about salmon farming risks in Tierra del Fuego

A report issued by the Forum for the Conservation of the Patagonian Sea and Surrounding Areas warns of the serious impacts that salmon and trout farming would have on the Argentine coast if the initiatives being considered by the federal government and the province of Tierra del Fuego are approved.
Monday, August 13th 2018 - 06:38 UTC
Mexican incoming president pledges drastic cuts in privileges and personal security

Mexican president-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he will abandon the secret service-style protection used by his predecessor in favor of a security detail of 20 unarmed men and women, including lawyers, doctors and engineers.
Monday, August 13th 2018 - 06:29 UTC
Brazil: Smartphones and tablets surpass Internet banking for the first time

The mobile channel has surpassed Internet banking for the first time in Brazil, according to statistics from the Brazilian Central Bank.