Stories for January 2019

Wednesday, January 23rd 2019 - 08:56 UTC
Mexican fuel pipeline explosion death toll climbs to 91, and could increase

The death toll from a fuel pipeline explosion in central Mexico last week rose to 91 as Pemex defended its response to one of the deadliest incidents to hit the state-run oil company in years.
Wednesday, January 23rd 2019 - 08:51 UTC
Pence addresses the Venezuelan people ahead of Wednesday's protest day

United States Vice President Mike Pence issued a video message of support to Venezuelans on Tuesday to encourage those who are protesting against President Nicolas Maduro and underline U.S. backing for opposition leader Juan Guaido.
Wednesday, January 23rd 2019 - 07:58 UTC
Bolsonaro tells Davos he plans to make the “new Brazil” an investment-friendly country

Brazil's newly-elected populist President Jair Bolsonaro addressed the world's business elite in Davos on Tuesday, vowing to transform Latin America's largest economy into a more investment-friendly country. On his first international trip since becoming president, Bolsonaro delivered the keynote speech at the World Economic Forum.
Wednesday, January 23rd 2019 - 07:44 UTC
France and Germany ratify integration process, but not all of Europe is happy

France and Germany have signed a new treaty on Tuesday aimed at breathing new life into their place at the centre of the European Union. As the UK moves to leave the EU and a rising tide of populism challenges the core liberal values of the bloc, the new treaty commits wholeheartedly to defending it.
Wednesday, January 23rd 2019 - 07:28 UTC
Sturgeon to London to meet Mrs. May; First Minister favors extension of Article 50

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is heading to London for Brexit talks with Prime Minister Theresa May. Mrs. May is attempting to build support for her withdrawal plan and is holding talks with opposition parties and the Scottish and Welsh governments.
Wednesday, January 23rd 2019 - 07:15 UTC
Search for missing plane carrying Cardiff City Argentine player Sala resumes

The search for a missing aircraft that was carrying Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala will resume at sunrise. The Argentine striker, 28, was one of two people on board the plane which lost contact off Alderney in the Channel Islands on Monday night.
Tuesday, January 22nd 2019 - 10:13 UTC
Brazil plans to privatize airports and railways; Chinese investment would be “well received”

Brazil’s government will announce the privatization of southern airports, including Curitiba, in the second quarter of this year, according to Adalberto Vasconcelos, head of the PPI government program tasked with luring private investment in the country’s infrastructure.
Tuesday, January 22nd 2019 - 10:11 UTC
Brazilian government trying to recover control over its overloaded prison system

Police and soldiers are being deployed in large numbers to Brazil's northeast to fight a wave of gang violence fueled by the overloaded, collapsing prison system. More than 400 elite federal troops have been sent to the city of Fortaleza and the rest of Ceara state to reinforce overwhelmed local cops, who face a dramatic rash of attacks on government buildings, buses, police stations, banks and bridges by well-armed gang members.
Tuesday, January 22nd 2019 - 10:09 UTC
Brazilian 2019 coffee production forecasted to decline 11.5/18%

Brazilian food supply and statistics agency Conab has reported that Brazil’s coffee production is expected to decline in 2019 to between 50.48 and 54.48 million bags. Conab attributes the 11.5 to 18% drop from the 61.65 million bags the agency reported for the year prior to Brazil’s coffee plants recovering from an increased output in 2018, which is affecting Arabica in particular.
Tuesday, January 22nd 2019 - 10:06 UTC
Beware EU consumers: scheme to sell horse meat lasagna

Four people are going on trial in Paris over an alleged scheme that fed consumers across Europe frozen foods containing cheap horse meat fraudulently labelled as pricier beef.