Stories for March 13th 2019

Wednesday, March 13th 2019 - 08:48 UTC
Venezuela orders US diplomats to leave within 72 hours; blames Trump for the “cyber sabotage”

Venezuela ordered American diplomats to leave the country within 72 hours on Tuesday after President Nicolas Maduro accused US counterpart Donald Trump of cyber “sabotage” that plunged the OPEC nation into its worst blackout on record.
Wednesday, March 13th 2019 - 08:40 UTC
Peru cabinet reshuffle: new prime minister but Finance and Mines remain

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra swore in actor and former Culture Minister Salvador del Solar as his new prime minister in a cabinet shuffle that may help shore up his slipping approval ratings.
Wednesday, March 13th 2019 - 08:34 UTC
Shell agrees offshore oil exploration contracts in Colombia

Colombia’s government announced it had signed two exploration and production contracts with Shell in offshore areas of the Caribbean Sea that will require the company to make initial investments of US$ 100 million.
Wednesday, March 13th 2019 - 08:27 UTC
Argentina boosting natural gas output and plans pipeline to supply Buenos Aires

Argentina’s efforts to boost its natural gas output and supply are progressing through new pipeline and transport projects and auctions, moves that are expected to balance the country’s production and demand, the energy secretary said on Monday.
Wednesday, March 13th 2019 - 08:18 UTC
Brazil auto production up 29.9% in February

Automobile production in Brazil rose 29.9% in February from January, while sales slipped 0.6%, the national automakers’ association said on Monday. Automakers in Brazil produced around 257,200 new cars and trucks last month, while sales totaled about 198,600 vehicles, according to industry group Anfavea.
Wednesday, March 13th 2019 - 08:12 UTC
Brazil February consumer prices rose 0.43%, and 3.89% in twelve months

Consumer prices in Brazil rose at a slightly faster pace than expected in February due to a rise in private education fees and food and beverage prices, statistics agency IBGE said on Tuesday. On a monthly basis, inflation rose by 0.43% in February, IBGE said, more than the expected 0.39% and up from 0.32% a month earlier.
Wednesday, March 13th 2019 - 07:26 UTC
UK business groups Brexit exasperation: “It's time for Parliament to stop this circus”

Business groups are “exasperated” after the Prime Minister's EU withdrawal plan was again rejected by Parliament. They called on MPs to shut down the possibility of a no-deal Brexit and come up with a clear EU exit plan. The City UK, the finance industry body, said leaving without a deal “would be an own goal of historic proportions”.
Wednesday, March 13th 2019 - 07:10 UTC
Brexit deadline: Commons votes on leaving the EU without a deal after PM May's deal was again rejected

Theresa May's EU withdrawal deal has been rejected by MPs by an overwhelming majority for a second time, with just 17 days to go to Brexit. On Tuesday MPs voted down the prime minister's deal by 149 - a smaller margin than when they rejected it in January.