Stories for March 21st 2019

Thursday, March 21st 2019 - 09:36 UTC
Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay re-launch bid for 2030 World Cup

Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay re-launched their bid to host the 2030 World Cup following a meeting of their presidents in Buenos Aires on Wednesday. The four national presidents committed to creating a local organizing committee with a representative from each country to coordinate with CONMEBOL, South American football's governing body.
Thursday, March 21st 2019 - 09:26 UTC
After 34 years Levi Strauss is back in the stock market with a value of US$ 6.5bn

Levi Strauss will be worth about US$ 6.5bn when the denim-maker rejoins the stock market after 34 years away. Shares in the inventor of the blue jean have been priced at US$ 17 each, just above the target range of US$ 14-16.
Thursday, March 21st 2019 - 09:20 UTC
US markets drop following on Trump's remarks about trade talks with China

US stocks have fallen after President Donald Trump said his administration was considering leaving tariffs on China for a “substantial period”. Mr. Trump said that a trade deal with Beijing was “coming along nicely”, but his comments dampened hopes a deal would be reached soon. US negotiators are due to visit China next week to resume talks.
Thursday, March 21st 2019 - 09:13 UTC
Ocean sunfish washed up on an Australian beach becomes viral

Pictures of a giant, odd-looking fish have gone viral after it washed up on a beach in South Australia. Identified as an ocean sunfish by experts, the 1.8m-long specimen was first spotted by a group of fishermen driving along the sand.
Thursday, March 21st 2019 - 09:00 UTC
Digital sex crime epidemic in South Korea; secret filming of some 1.600 hotel rooms

Four men have been arrested in South Korea, accused of secretly filming 1,600 hotel room guests and selling the footage via a website. Mini-cameras were installed in TVs, hair-dryer holders and sockets. The men allegedly earned US$ 6,200.
Thursday, March 21st 2019 - 08:59 UTC
A 12 sq. km lagoon, one hour's drive from Santiago, goes completely dry

The cows and horses would have come for the last blades of grass. Now their bones are scattered on the cracked earth, victims of drought that wiped Santiago's weekend playground Lake Aculeo from the map.
Thursday, March 21st 2019 - 07:38 UTC
Venezuela: UN human rights report confirms massive abuses and killings by government forces

The U.N. high commissioner for human rights, Michelle Bachelet, warns political divisions in Venezuela are worsening an already critical human right and humanitarian situation in the country. In a report presented to the U.N. Human Rights Council, Bachelet urged the dissenting factions to resolve their political differences.
Thursday, March 21st 2019 - 06:41 UTC
Bolsonaro's aura and approval ratings rapidly fading

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's approval rating plunged in March, a poll showed Wednesday, after a series of political scandals tarnished his anti-corruption image.
Thursday, March 21st 2019 - 06:30 UTC
Mercosur farmers protest Bolsonaro's decision to allow US wheat imports free of tariffs

Farmers in Brazil and Argentina are concerned about Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's agreement to import 750,000 tons of wheat from the United States and other countries outside the Mercosur trade bloc without the 10% tariff that is usually required for such purchases.