Stories for March 15th 2019

Friday, March 15th 2019 - 18:59 UTC
A sea lion, the star of Punta del Este that rests on sports cars (Watch Video)

In the Uruguayan port of Punta del Este there are a large number of sea lions that are used to people. There is a reason for this: the fishermen in the area have been feeding them for years, so the specimens are used to human presence and also to feed in this way, although it is always recommended not to get too close to these animals on land due their dangerous behavior.
Friday, March 15th 2019 - 10:30 UTC
Sponsored by US, Brazil is to become “a major non-Nato ally”

The United States will strengthen military ties with Brazil to a level usually reserved for NATO allies during President Jair Bolsonaro's visit to Washington next week, boosting growing cooperation between the Americas' two largest militaries, Brazilian government officials said on Thursday.
Friday, March 15th 2019 - 10:10 UTC
Carnage in two mosques in New Zealand: 49 killed, tens wounded by terrorists

Forty-nine people have been killed and at least 20 wounded in shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison described one alleged gunman, who had Australian citizenship, as an “extremist, right-wing” terrorist.
Friday, March 15th 2019 - 09:27 UTC
Boeing's 737 MAX 8 and 9 grounded “for weeks”; France analyzes black boxes

Boeing’s 737 Max 8 and 9 planes will be grounded for weeks if not longer until a software upgrade can be tested and installed, US lawmakers said on Thursday as officials in France prepare to begin analyzing the black boxes from a jet that crashed in Ethiopia.
Friday, March 15th 2019 - 09:21 UTC
US considering banning Visa and Mastercard transactions in Venezuela

The United States is considering imposing financial sanctions that could prohibit Visa, Mastercard and other financial institutions from processing transactions in Venezuela, a senior Trump administration official said on Thursday. The move, which has not been finalized, would represent another step in tightening the financial noose on the government of President Nicolas Maduro and his supporters.
Friday, March 15th 2019 - 09:04 UTC
China approves foreign investment law hopefully to improve relations with US

China's rubber-stamp parliament approved a foreign investment law on Friday that was fast-tracked and may serve as an olive branch in trade talks with the United States. The legislation aims to address long-running grievances from foreign businesses, but the US and European chambers of commerce have voiced concerns that they were not given enough time to give their input.
Friday, March 15th 2019 - 08:57 UTC
Connecticut court rules families can sue Remington gun maker for killings of school children

A Connecticut court has ruled that families of schoolchildren killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook mass shooting can sue American gun-maker Remington. In a 5-4 vote, the US state's Supreme Court said the lawsuit could proceed on the basis of state consumer protection laws.
Friday, March 15th 2019 - 08:48 UTC
Argentine inflation in February, 3.8% and 51% in twelve months; central bank new measures

Argentina’s stubbornly high inflation accelerated again in February, the government said on Thursday, sparking the central bank chief to pledge new measures to rein in rising prices that have dogged the South American economy over the last year.
Friday, March 15th 2019 - 08:38 UTC
EU open to granting UK a long extension, but some member countries demand certain conditions

European Council President Donald Tusk has said he will appeal to EU leaders “to be open to a long extension” of the Brexit deadline, if the UK needs to rethink its strategy and get consensus. His intervention came as UK MPs voted to seek a delay of the 29 March deadline to leave the EU. EU leaders meet in Brussels on 21 March and they would have the final say.
Friday, March 15th 2019 - 08:28 UTC
Coca Cola uses three million tons of plastic packaging in one year

For the first time, Coca-Cola has revealed it used three million tons of plastic packaging in one year. It's part of a report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation which is pushing for companies and governments to do more to tackle plastic pollution.