Stories for January 7th 2019

Monday, January 7th 2019 - 09:37 UTC
Bolsonaro in the process of purging some 3.300 federal staff allegedly communists or socialists

The new government in Brazil, headed by President Jair Bolsonaro, has initiated the process of firing any “communists” and “socialists” working as contractors in government departments contending those holding opposition ideological views cannot properly execute its goals.
Monday, January 7th 2019 - 09:29 UTC
Brazil meat exports had a complicated 2018, buts sales are picking up

Export sales by Brazilian meat processors lagged last year as trade bans and a domestic truckers’ strike weighed on their ability to serve major customers like Russia and the European Union, according to data released by trade group ABPA.
Monday, January 7th 2019 - 09:23 UTC
Organized crime challenges Bolsonaro despite deployment of federal forces

The attacks and fire-bombings sweeping Brazil's northeastern state of Ceara continued unabated Sunday despite the deployment of at least 300 members the elite, military-style National Police Force to help bring an end to the violence.
Monday, January 7th 2019 - 09:18 UTC
Rule out a “no-deal Brexit”, 200 plus all parties MPs call on Theresa May

More than 200 MPs from different political parties have signed a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May, urging her to rule out a no-deal Brexit. The MPs - including both Leave and Remain supporters - have been invited to meet the prime minister on Tuesday.
Monday, January 7th 2019 - 09:13 UTC
Venezuelan Justice and close advisor of Maduro flees with family to Miami

Venezuela Supreme Court judge Christian Zerpa has fled to the United States to protest over President Nicolás Maduro's second term in office. Last year's election “was not free and competitive”, the former Maduro loyalist told a Florida radio station, and he accused President Maduro of systematically manipulating the affairs of the Supreme Court.
Monday, January 7th 2019 - 09:03 UTC
Oil Is at the mercy of Financial Markets

Oil prices regained more ground on Wednesday, pushed higher after equity markets rebounded from an initial selloff at the start of 2019 trading. The price gains are not entirely convincing. WTI and Brent posted strong gains, each up more than 3 per cent by midday in New York, but come largely after U.S. equity markets shook off an earlier bout of pessimism.
Monday, January 7th 2019 - 08:54 UTC
How a Uruguayan town revolutionized the way we eat

BBC has published a piece on the history of Corned Beef and its brand name, Fray Bentos, the city located on the banks of the Uruguay River, and which over a century ago produced what it describes “as the most influential food brands of the 20th century”
Monday, January 7th 2019 - 08:50 UTC
Brazil's 2018/19 soy crop estimated at 122m tons and Argentina's, 56.5m tons

Estimates of corn and soybean production in Brazil and Argentina remain unchanged from private analytics IEG vantage last monthly report. The firm projected Brazil’s 2018/19 soybean crop at 122 million tons and Argentina’s crop at 56.5 million tons.
Monday, January 7th 2019 - 08:44 UTC
New pound coin goes global with rollout to British Overseas Territories

United Kingdom Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies will, for the first time, be able to design and mint their own versions of the new 12-sided £1 coin. The iconic £1 coin has long been recognized around the world and Brits living in UK territories may soon be able to spend unique versions of the new pound, replacing the older coins currently in use, reports the UK Treasury in an official release.