Stories for January 2019

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.
Thursday, January 17th 2019 - 07:42 UTC
Bolsonaro and Macri agree to “review and perfect” Mercosur, and advance trade talks with EU

Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro and Argentina’s president Mauricio Macri said they agreed to continue integrating their economies (number one and two in South America), as strategic partners, by “perfecting” the Mercosur trade block and pressing ahead with negotiations that are already underway, such as the ongoing free trade and cooperation agreement with the European Union.
Thursday, January 17th 2019 - 07:31 UTC
PM May wins no-confidence vote; calls on all parties to work constructively to forward Brexit

Theresa May has called on MPs to “put self-interest aside” and “work constructively together” to find a way forward for Brexit. Earlier, the prime minister won a vote of no confidence by 325 to 306, as rebel Tory MPs and the DUP backed her to stay in No 10. But just 24 hours before, both groups ensured her Brexit plan was voted down.
Wednesday, January 16th 2019 - 09:35 UTC
Cruise vessels allowed to operate along the Chilean coast smaller ports

Chilean cruise operators and travel agencies have praised a bill approved by Congress, the Coastal traffic law, which allows cruise vessels with a 400 passenger capacity or more, and even smaller if there are no Chilean similar vessels, to sail along the country's ports.
Wednesday, January 16th 2019 - 09:31 UTC
Hanta virus outbreak in a Patagonia Chubut province town

Argentina's northern province of Jujuy has reported a first case of a patient suffering of the hanta virus contagion. The report is considered very serious since in the Patagonian province of Chubut there have been several deaths and some 85 residents of a town are in quarantine to stop the spread of the virus contagion.
Wednesday, January 16th 2019 - 09:21 UTC
The Bolsonaro family soap-opera which defeats Brazilian traditional media

The Bolsonaro family is using social media to present their life as a reality soap opera. The carefully crafted, highly-watched presidential telenovela (soap-opera) is setting the narrative and circumventing traditional media. On the sixth day, the Messia[s] reclines barefoot on the sofa of the Granja do Torto presidential residence. Next to him sits the faithful family dog, Beretta. His glasses casually perched upon his nose, the master browses social media on his smartphone.
Wednesday, January 16th 2019 - 09:10 UTC
HMS Protector and RRS Shackleton support 100 scientists researching Antarctica glacier

Royal Navy survey ship HMS Protector smashed through nearly 300 miles of Antarctic ice to help scientists begin a five-year mission to understand how West Antarctica is contributing to global sea-level rise.