Stories for April 5th 2019

Friday, April 5th 2019 - 17:45 UTC
US Treasury official David Malpass elected as World Bank’s president

David Malpass has been chosen as the president of the World Bank Group (WBG) on Friday after being unanimously elected by the executive board of the organization with no other candidates.
Friday, April 5th 2019 - 17:39 UTC
Spanish, Chinese and Korean songs climbing up the charts, says the phonographic industry

For decades, they have dominated the top ten. But the era of musicians having to sing in English to achieve worldwide success may be drawing to a close, as artists from Asia and South America creep up the charts.
Friday, April 5th 2019 - 11:33 UTC
European Council approves that “Gibraltar is a colony of the British Crown”

The European Council has been branded “irresponsible” over its inflexible position on draft legislation approved by the European Parliament on Thursday in which Gibraltar, at Spain’s insistence, was described as “a colony”.
Friday, April 5th 2019 - 10:00 UTC
Uruguayan president caught with his pants down

Uruguayan president and oncologist Tabare Vazquez has publicly admitted full responsibility for not having read, but approvingly signed, delicate documents referred to alleged crimes against humanity committed during the military dictatorship, and consequently, without consultation, he sacked the Defense minister and deputy, and seven generals.
Friday, April 5th 2019 - 09:37 UTC
Brazilian markets react positively on hopes of progress on pension reform

Most Latin American stock markets and currencies rose on Thursday, with assets in Brazil gaining on hopes of smooth progress on pension reform. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro met fellow politicians in a bid to build support to pass his government's proposal to reform the country's bloated pension system, seen by investors as crucial to trim Brazil's wide fiscal deficit.
Friday, April 5th 2019 - 09:33 UTC
Brazil automakers confident of domestic market despite collapse of exports to Argentina

Automobile production in Brazil fell 0.6% in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period last year, the national automakers’ association said on Thursday, as an economic crisis in Argentina continued to weigh on output.
Friday, April 5th 2019 - 09:26 UTC
Argentines take to the streets under pouring rain to protest Macri’s austerity

Argentine unions, small business owners and activists took to the rain-drenched streets of Buenos Aires on Thursday to protest against austerity measures under President Mauricio Macri, which they blame for amplifying worker hardships and sapping growth.
Friday, April 5th 2019 - 09:25 UTC
Theresa May requests Brexit extension until June 30

Theresa May has written to European Council president Donald Tusk requesting an extension to Article 50 until June 30. The Prime Minister said she will seek to ratify her Withdrawal Agreement before the European Parliament elections on May 23, but will make “responsible preparations” to take part if that does not prove possible.
Friday, April 5th 2019 - 09:04 UTC
EC proposal for a 12-month “flexible” extension to the Brexit date

European Council President Donald Tusk is proposing to offer the UK a 12-month “flexible” extension to its Brexit date, according to a senior EU source. His plan would allow the UK to leave sooner if Parliament ratifies a deal, but it would need to be agreed by EU leaders at a summit next week.
Friday, April 5th 2019 - 09:00 UTC
Top Gear “Patagonia Special” cars shredded to nut size in “hush-hush” operation

Imagine three top-line sport vehicles, worth tens of thousands of dollars, from some of the most famous world brands coming to their proud end rolled over by caterpillars and shredded to pieces no greater than nuts. And the vehicles did not belong to drug dealers or arms trafficker or were part of some US extravagant show.