Stories for February 2019

Friday, February 15th 2019 - 10:58 UTC
Chile joins Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay in bid to host the 2030 World Cup

Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay are to submit a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup, Chile's President Sebastian Piñera announced on Thursday. Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay had already submitted a joint bid to host the centenary edition of football's most prestigious tournament, but Piñera said on Twitter that those countries' presidents had agreed to Chile's participation in the “joint candidacy”.
Friday, February 15th 2019 - 10:43 UTC
Yellow fever warning for travelers to Brazil

A recent disease outbreak news from the World Health Organization highlights that in Brazil it is currently the seasonal period for yellow fever and that further transmission of the disease is expected in the coming months based on seasonal patterns.
Friday, February 15th 2019 - 10:24 UTC
Agribusiness lobby in Brazil shows its muscle: US$ 52bn in subsidized farm loans

Brazil could double spending on subsidized farm insurance in 2020 and may expand subsidized loans, the country’s agriculture policy secretary said on Thursday; even though the new government’s economic team has pledged to cut spending.
Friday, February 15th 2019 - 10:03 UTC
“Call the kids to work for a unified government”, Brazilian vice-president tells president Jair Bolsonaro

Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourao said on Thursday that the president will have to rein in his sons after one of them called a minister a liar on social media, exacerbating tensions in a new government dealing with its first big cabinet scandal.
Friday, February 15th 2019 - 08:57 UTC
Netherlands mock Brexit with a giant Muppet-style monster

The Dutch government sees Brexit not as the elephant in the room but as a giant Muppet-style monster lying on a desk. That is the picture tweeted by Foreign minister Stef Blok, with the warning: “make sure Brexit doesn't sit - or lie - in your way”. There is a link to an official website where Dutch firms can see the potential impact of Brexit on their business.
Friday, February 15th 2019 - 08:55 UTC
Germany on the edge of recession following weak trade performance

Germany's economy just about avoided falling into recession during the final three months of last year. Europe's largest economy registered zero growth during the fourth quarter of 2018, the country's Federal Statistics Office said. That means it avoided two consecutive quarters of contraction, which is the usual definition of a recession.
Friday, February 15th 2019 - 08:54 UTC
JP Morgan breaks ground and creates a crypto-currency, JPM Coin

US investment bank JP Morgan has created a crypto-currency to help settle payments between clients in its wholesale payments business. JPM Coin is the first digital currency to be backed by a major US bank.
Friday, February 15th 2019 - 08:49 UTC
PM's May approach to Brexit talks again rejected in Parliament: 303 to 258

Prime Minister Theresa May has suffered another Commons defeat after MPs voted down her approach to Brexit talks. MPs voted by 303 to 258 - a majority of 45 - against a motion endorsing the government's negotiating strategy.
Friday, February 15th 2019 - 08:47 UTC
Amazon drops plans to build HQ in New York because of fierce opposition from politicians

Amazon has said it will not build a new headquarters in New York, citing fierce opposition from state and local politicians. The dramatic turnabout comes just months after the firm named New York City one of two sites selected for major expansion over the next decades. City and state leaders had agreed to provide about US$3bn in incentives to secure that investment.
Friday, February 15th 2019 - 08:27 UTC
Trump ready to declare a national emergency to fund border wall: “lawless act”, warn Democrats

US President Donald Trump is to declare a national emergency to fund his planned border wall with Mexico, the White House has said. He will sign a border security bill to avert a government shutdown - but also act to bypass Congress and use military funds for the wall, a statement said.