Stories for January 2019

Thursday, January 31st 2019 - 09:18 UTC
Poland and Germany inclined to strike a renewed Brexit deal with Britain

The Polish Prime Minister and senior German politicians have urged Brussels to strike a Brexit deal with Britain in the first sign of divisions within the European Union over its blanket opposition to offering fresh concessions to Theresa May.
Thursday, January 31st 2019 - 09:15 UTC
Federal Reserve adopts “wait and see” policy. Economy facing contradictory picture of crosscurrents, says Powell

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday signaled its three-year-drive to tighten monetary policy may be at an end amid a suddenly cloudy outlook for the U.S. economy due to global headwinds and impasses over trade and government budget negotiations.
Thursday, January 31st 2019 - 09:11 UTC
Juan Guaidó: Venezuelans, Strength Is in Unity

To end the Maduro regime with the minimum of bloodshed, we need the support of pro-democratic governments, institutions and individuals the world over.
Wednesday, January 30th 2019 - 20:55 UTC
Venezuela: Socialist International recognizes Guaidó and calls Maduro “illegitimate”

The Council of the Socialist International (SI) approved a communique on Tuesday where they recognize deputy Juan Guaidó and the Venezuelan National Assembly as the only legitimate power of leading a process of democratic transition in Venezuela.
Wednesday, January 30th 2019 - 10:05 UTC
Dam burst in Brazil: Police arrests five engineers responsible for environment impact licenses

Police in Brazil have arrested five people as part of an investigation into Friday's dam collapse in Brumadinho. At least 65 people died and 300 remain unaccounted for, when toxic sludge engulfed a company canteen and neighboring residential buildings.
Wednesday, January 30th 2019 - 10:03 UTC
Venezuelan Supreme Court bans Guaidó from leaving the country and freezes his bank accounts

Venezuela's Supreme Court has banned opposition leader Juan Guaidó from leaving the country and frozen his bank accounts. The move comes amid an escalating power struggle, after Mr Guaidó declared himself interim president last week.
Wednesday, January 30th 2019 - 10:01 UTC
Guaidó plans to name new boards of directors at PDVSA and Citgo

The President of Venezuela’s opposition-dominated National Assembly Juan Guaido will announce new boards of directors for state oil company PDVSA and its U.S. business, Citgo, according to opposition leader sources.
Wednesday, January 30th 2019 - 09:59 UTC
Brazil's federal debt increased 8.9% last year and is estimated to rise 11% in 2019

Brazil’s federal debt rose to 3.88 trillion Reais ($1.03 trillion) in December, up 8.9% from 3.56 trillion Reais a year earlier, and is expected to rise further this year, the Brazilian Treasury said. The Treasury predicts public debt this year will swell to somewhere between 4.1 trillion and 4.3 trillion Reais, the upper end of which would represent an increase of almost 11%, it outlined in its annual financing plan.
Wednesday, January 30th 2019 - 09:59 UTC
UN chief Guterres ready to facilitate dialogue and negotiations in Venezuela

Following a meeting with a delegation from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres has offered to facilitate discussion to help resolve the ongoing political crisis in Venezuela.
Wednesday, January 30th 2019 - 09:56 UTC
US farm lobbies want a post-Brexit UK food quality standard lowered

United States lobby groups for agriculture and pharmaceutical firms want UK standards changed to be closer to those of the US in a post-Brexit trade deal. The meat lobby wants the sale of growth hormone-fed beef, currently banned in the UK and EU, to be allowed in the UK.