Stories for January 17th 2019

Thursday, January 17th 2019 - 19:30 UTC
Nine killed and dozens injured with car-bomb in Bogotá next to police academy

At least nine people were killed and dozens more injured in a car bombing at a police academy in Colombia's capital, Bogotá on Thursday, recalling the high-profile attacks associated with bloodiest chapters of the country's drug-fueled guerrilla conflict.
Thursday, January 17th 2019 - 10:10 UTC
Petrobras allowed to sell 90% stake in gas pipeline unit, estimated at US$ 7bn

Brazil’s solicitor general has overturned one injunction that prevented state-controlled oil company Petrobras from proceeding with one of its largest divestitures, the government said in a statement.
Thursday, January 17th 2019 - 10:05 UTC
Petrobras averaged 2.63 MMboed last year, targets 2.8 MMboed for 2019

Petrobras reports that in 2018, its total production of oil and gas, including natural gas liquids (NGL), was 2.63 MMboed, of which 2.53 MMboed produced in Brazil and 101,000 boed abroad. Petrobras’ own production of oil in Brazil was 2.03 MMbpd.
Thursday, January 17th 2019 - 09:53 UTC
Brazil plans to eliminate visitor visas for US citizens to promote tourism

Brazil plans to eliminate visitor visas for Americans, the country's tourism minister said on Wednesday, as President Jair Bolsonaro seeks to turn around the lagging tourism sector and engineer cosier relations with the United States.
Thursday, January 17th 2019 - 09:50 UTC
Brazilian supermodel rejects criticism from agriculture minister

Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen on Wednesday rejected critiques by the country's farm minister that questioned her knowledge about Brazil's conservation efforts.
Thursday, January 17th 2019 - 09:12 UTC
Shutdown: Pelosi asks Trump to postpone State of the Union speech to Congress or deliver it by writing

Democrats have asked President Donald Trump to postpone a speech to Congress, arguing security cannot be guaranteed due to the government shutdown. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said in a letter to Mr Trump that he should deliver the speech in writing instead unless federal agencies reopen.
Thursday, January 17th 2019 - 09:08 UTC
China injects US$ 83bn to the financial system hoping to prop a declining economy

China’s central bank injected a record US$ 83 billion into the country’s financial system on Wednesday, seeking to avoid a cash crunch that would put further pressure on the weakening economy. China’s policymakers are pledging to step up stimulus measures this year and do more to protect jobs as economic growth cools to 28-year lows.
Thursday, January 17th 2019 - 09:01 UTC
McDonald's defeated by Irish rival over the rights to the “Big Mac” name

McDonald's has been defeated in a trademark dispute over its rights to the “Big Mac” name brought by a tiny Irish rival called Supermac's. The European Union Intellectual Property Office, EUPO, ruled that McDonald's did not have the exclusive right to “Big Mac” trademark in Europe, after McDonald's tried to use it to stop the Irish chain from expanding into Europe.
Thursday, January 17th 2019 - 08:52 UTC
Goldman Sachs apologizes and blames former partner for Malaysia's major corruption scandal

Goldman Sachs new boss has apologized to Malaysia for the role an ex-partner played in the corruption scandal at one of the country's wealth funds. However, chief executive David Solomon also distanced the bank from the scheme, which saw billions embezzled from the state development fund, 1MDB.
Thursday, January 17th 2019 - 08:44 UTC
EU frustrated, (and divided), but waiting for Mrs. May and Westminster Brexit B plan

European Council President Donald Tusk has hinted that the UK should stay in the EU, after the prime minister's Brexit deal was rejected in parliament. “If a deal is impossible, and no-one wants no deal, then who will finally have the courage to say what the only positive solution is?” he tweeted.