Stories for January 2019

Friday, January 25th 2019 - 08:45 UTC
UK praises Uruguay's human rights record, but also has recommendations

United Kingdom welcomed Uruguay’s positive record in promoting freedom of expression and independent media, as well as its progressive legislation particularly in promoting gender equality and LGBT rights.
Thursday, January 24th 2019 - 09:38 UTC
Repression in Venezuela left 16 dead, according to the IACHR

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) estimated the number of deaths in clashes between protesters and security forces in Venezuela at 16.
Thursday, January 24th 2019 - 09:35 UTC
Guaido recognized as interim president by Lima Group and US; Uruguay and Mexico call for negotiations

Most Latin American nations recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president on Wednesday, leaving Nicolas Maduro ever more isolated as he faces unrest at home and threats from the United States.
Thursday, January 24th 2019 - 09:34 UTC
Pope Francis arrives in Panama for the World Youth Day; immigration high in the agenda

Pope Francis wasted no time wading in on the standoff over funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall on Wednesday as he started his trip to Panama, saying on the plane from Rome that hostility to immigrants was driven by irrational fear. In a brief conversation between the pope and journalists on the flight, one reporter described the barrier that juts out into the Pacific Ocean between the two countries in San Diego, California, as a “folly”.
Thursday, January 24th 2019 - 09:33 UTC
Sao Paulo state willing to support automaker GM with tax incentives

General Motors Brazil unit is in advanced talks with Sao Paulo state to receive tax incentives, the company told public officials and union representatives at a meeting on Tuesday, a few days after telling workers in a memo that it was losing money in the country.
Thursday, January 24th 2019 - 09:19 UTC
Venezuelan military brass remains loyal to Maduro and disavow Guaidó

Opposition leader Juan Guaido on Wednesday swore himself in as Venezuela’s rightful commander-in-chief in direct challenge to President Nicolas Maduro, who faces growing international criticism for undermining democracy.
Thursday, January 24th 2019 - 09:12 UTC
Saudi Arabia limits imports from a number of Brazilian chicken processing plants

Saudi Arabia has barred five Brazilian chicken processing plants from exporting to the Middle Eastern country, leaving 25 with valid export permits, Brazil’s meat trade association ABPA said, citing “technical” reasons. The Saudi move threw up a fresh hurdle for top exporter BRF SA and its rivals just a day after an anti-dumping dispute with China was resolved.
Thursday, January 24th 2019 - 09:04 UTC
Mrs. May commits peace and reconciliation funds for Northern Ireland, regardless of Brexit

The British government will remain committed to funding peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland regardless of Brexit, the prime minister has said. Theresa May made the pledge in a letter to “reassure” the DUP. It comes amidst strains in the relationship over the border backstop.
Thursday, January 24th 2019 - 08:59 UTC
EU fishermen compensations if UK blocks access to fishing waters in a “no deal Brexit”

European Union fishermen will be eligible for compensation if the UK blocks access to its fishing waters in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, the European Commission confirmed on Wednesday. The EU executive tabled an amendment to its rules on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, which provides financial support to coastal communities and fishermen, enabling them to be compensated if the UK prevents them from fishing its waters.
Thursday, January 24th 2019 - 08:53 UTC
Santander bank slashing a fifth of its UK network and some 1,270 jobs

Spanish-owned bank Santander is slashing its branch network by almost a fifth, putting 1,270 jobs at risk. The bank blamed the closures on “changes in how customers are choosing to carry out their banking”. It said branch transactions have fallen 23% in the last three years, while digital transactions have soared 99%.