Stories for February 2019

Wednesday, February 13th 2019 - 09:35 UTC
Growing concerns in Brazil about a power vacuum and cabinet bickering

Brazil is going through a rudderless period as President Jair Bolsonaro lies in a hospital bed following stomach surgery, with high-priority political issues such as pension reform on the backburner until he recovers, analysts and observers say. The limbo, which has lasted more than two weeks, might finally be coming to an end this week, according to reports.
Wednesday, February 13th 2019 - 09:31 UTC
Yellow scorpion infestation has become a major challenge for Sao Paulo residents

The mega-polis Sao Paulo, Brazil, home to tens of millions of people who live in the city and its sprawling outskirts, has a major scorpion problem that isn’t going away anytime soon.
Wednesday, February 13th 2019 - 09:26 UTC
Brazilian minister blasted for ignoring as “irrelevant” an icon of Amazon environmentalist

Brazilian environmental groups on Tuesday blasted President Jair Bolsonaro's environment minister after he dismissed the murdered Amazon rain forest defender Chico Mendes as “irrelevant.”
Wednesday, February 13th 2019 - 09:26 UTC
Trump open to extending the deadline for a trade deal with China

United States president Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would consider extending the deadline for a trade deal with China beyond March first.
Wednesday, February 13th 2019 - 09:15 UTC
Russia ready to facilitate internal dialogue in Venezuela, and tells US “hands off”

Russia said on Tuesday it was ready to facilitate the start of dialogue between Venezuela's government and opposition, but warned the United States against intervening in Caracas' internal affairs.
Wednesday, February 13th 2019 - 09:14 UTC
Brexit negotiations deadline on course to be extended

Prime Minister Theresa May asked lawmakers on Tuesday to hold their nerve over Brexit and give her more time to negotiate a deal acceptable to both the European Union and the British parliament.
Wednesday, February 13th 2019 - 09:12 UTC
NGOs demand Brazilian miner Vale be excluded from UN's corporate responsibility pact

A group of international non-governmental organizations on Tuesday demanded that Brazilian miner Vale SA be excluded from the United Nations' corporate responsibility pact, after a mining dam burst that killed an estimated 300 people.
Wednesday, February 13th 2019 - 09:03 UTC
Ex president Cristina Fernandez will stand on trial on 26 February

Former Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner will stand trial for the first time on February 26, after a court rejected her bid to postpone proceedings over alleged embezzlement against her and other former government officials.
Wednesday, February 13th 2019 - 08:48 UTC
New WHO-ITU standard aims to prevent hearing loss among 1.1 billion young people

Nearly 50% of people aged 12-35 years – or 1.1 billion young people – are at risk of hearing loss due to prolonged and excessive exposure to loud sounds, including music they listen to through personal audio devices.
Wednesday, February 13th 2019 - 08:34 UTC
Guaido announces humanitarian aid will enter Venezuela on February 23

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guido told a huge rally of supporters on Tuesday that humanitarian aid would enter the country on Feb. 23, setting the stage for a showdown with President Nicolas Maduro who has refused to let supplies in.