Stories for January 31st 2019

Thursday, January 31st 2019 - 16:42 UTC
Venezuela: Journalists arrested and deported complied with accreditations

The National Union of Workers of the Press (SNTP) of Venezuela reported that reporters from the Spanish international agency EFE who were detained by the National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) in Caracas will be deported despite fulfilling the necessary papers to carry out his journalistic work.
Thursday, January 31st 2019 - 09:57 UTC
UK and Chile sign a new trade continuity agreement with post Brexit in mind

The United Kingdom and Chile signed on Wednesday in Santiago a trade continuity agreement that will see British businesses and consumers benefitting from preferential trading arrangements with Chile after Britain leaves the European Union. Ambassador to Chile Jamie Bowden and Chilean Foreign Minister Roberto Ampuero stamped the agreement. 
Thursday, January 31st 2019 - 09:53 UTC
Chilean Justice makes history: Six people sentenced for the murder of ex-president Eduardo Frei Montalva

Six people were sentenced to up to 10 years in prison on Wednesday for the 1982 death of former President Eduardo Frei Montalva, marking a historic ruling in the highest profile murder case from Gen. Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship.
Thursday, January 31st 2019 - 09:40 UTC
Humanitarian aid to Venezuela caught in a divided UN Security Council

Three days after proclaiming himself Venezuela’s head of state, Juan Guaidó wrote to the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres asking for help in tackling the country’s urgent humanitarian crisis.
Thursday, January 31st 2019 - 09:38 UTC
US private payrolls increased in January, but the housing market is down

United States private payrolls increased solidly in January, pointing to sustained labor market strength despite a recent easing in consumer and business confidence that has suggested a loss of momentum in the economy. The strong hiring shown in the ADP National Employment Report on Wednesday also suggested there had been minimal impact on the labor market from the just-ended 35-day partial shutdown of the federal government.
Thursday, January 31st 2019 - 09:33 UTC
Irish backstop is “part and parcel” of the UK's Brexit deal and stands as it is

The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier says the Irish backstop is “part and parcel” of the UK's Brexit deal and will not be renegotiated. Speaking at the European Parliament, Mr Barnier said it was a “realistic solution” to preventing a hard border.
Thursday, January 31st 2019 - 09:30 UTC
UK car industry on “red alert”: Brexit uncertainty had done enormous damage

Investment in the UK car sector almost halved last year and output tumbled as Brexit fears put firms on “red alert”, the industry's trade body said. Inward investment fell 46.5% to £588.6m last year from £1.1bn in 2017, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) says.
Thursday, January 31st 2019 - 09:28 UTC
Barclays is transferring €190bn of assets from London to Dublin

Barclays is moving €190bn (£166bn) of assets to Dublin because it “cannot wait any longer” to implement its Brexit contingency plan. The High Court, which has approved the move, says the move involves 5,000 clients. However, few jobs in London are expected to be affected.
Thursday, January 31st 2019 - 09:25 UTC
Washington warns traders not to deal with gold or oil “stolen from the Venezuelan people”

The White House warned traders on Wednesday not to deal in Venezuelan gold or oil following its imposition of stiff sanctions aimed at forcing socialist President Nicolas Maduro from power.
Thursday, January 31st 2019 - 09:22 UTC
German economy threatened by a chaotic Brexit, warns Berlin's economy minister

The clouds darkened over Europe's slowing economy on Wednesday as the German government slashed its growth forecast and said concerns about a chaotic Brexit and trade tensions were holding back the continent's powerhouse. Germany's Economy Ministry said Wednesday it was cutting its 2018 forecast to 1% from 1.8% in its previous outlook issued last fall.