Stories for February 2019

Monday, February 4th 2019 - 07:34 UTC
US sending humanitarian aid to Venezuela on request from interim president Guadió

The US says it is sending aid to crisis-hit Venezuela following a request from Juan Guaidó, the opposition leader who has declared himself interim president. Mr Guaidó's move last month won swift backing from the US and others but triggered a power struggle.
Monday, February 4th 2019 - 07:26 UTC
Argentine footballer Sala wreckage plane has been discovered off Guernsey

Wreckage from a plane carrying Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala has been discovered in the English Channel. The Piper Malibu N264DB was lost on 21 January on its way from Nantes, France to Cardiff, with the Argentine striker and pilot David Ibbotson on board.
Monday, February 4th 2019 - 07:17 UTC
Bolsonaro with a feeding tube; surgery more complicated than expected; discharge date remains unchanged

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was ill in hospital with a feeding tube on Sunday following surgery days ago to remove a colostomy bag fitted after he suffered a knife attack late last year.
Sunday, February 3rd 2019 - 10:36 UTC
Latin American markets reacted positively to Fed' message of “wait and see”

Most Latin American stocks rose on Friday after U.S. economic data pointed to the possibility that the Federal Reserve could keep interest rates unchanged. Shares extended their rally after U.S. employment and manufacturing data underscored a strong economy with little wage inflation.
Sunday, February 3rd 2019 - 10:02 UTC
Gibraltar's legal status is a matter of fact, not opinion

In its proposal for post-Brexit, ‘visa-free travel’ the European Council on Friday has described Gibraltar as a “colony of the British Crown.” HM Government of Gibraltar is grateful to the Prime Minister for her comment that such a description is “completely unacceptable.”
Saturday, February 2nd 2019 - 09:14 UTC
Petrobras begins development of massive offshore field; Brazil targets 7.5m bpd in a decade

Petrobras has put the finishing touches on the first wave of development at the massive offshore Brazil Lula Field, pumping first oil from the latest floating production unit to be installed at the country's largest oil and natural gas producer, the company announced on Friday.
Saturday, February 2nd 2019 - 09:12 UTC
EU members will support interim president Guaido, individually, and conditioned to elections

European Union governments will move to recognize Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president from next week, but using cautious language for fear of setting a precedent for political crises, EU diplomats said on Friday.
Saturday, February 2nd 2019 - 09:09 UTC
Brazilian Lower House new leader pledges support for Bolsonaro's reforms

Brazil’s lower house of Congress reelected on Friday by a vast majority Rodrigo Maia, from the Democratas party, for a new two-year term as president of the chamber. Maia had the support of Brazil’s newly elected President Jair Bolsonaro and has pledged to work with the new administration to pass key reforms seen as crucial for the country to balance its budget, such as the pension reform.
Saturday, February 2nd 2019 - 08:59 UTC
Argentine central bank “ready” to counter surprises ahead of this year's presidential election

Argentina’s central bank has sufficient dollar firepower to deal with a spike in demand for the greenback if uncertainty over the country’s upcoming presidential election prompts another run on the peso, bank sources said on Friday.
Saturday, February 2nd 2019 - 08:58 UTC
Oil traders anticipate they will comply with US Treasury sanctions on Venezuela

U.S. sanctions will sharply limit oil transactions between Venezuela and other countries and are similar to but slightly less extensive than those imposed on Iran last year, experts said on Friday after looking at details posted by the Treasury Department.