Stories for May 2019

Wednesday, May 15th 2019 - 20:52 UTC
African swine fever outbreak in Hong Kong: 6.000 pigs to be culled

Hong Kong will cull 6,000 pigs after African swine fever was detected in an animal at a slaughterhouse close to the border with China, the first case of the disease in the densely populated financial hub.
Wednesday, May 15th 2019 - 20:00 UTC
African swine fever extends to fourth South African province

An outbreak of African swine fever, a severe hemorrhagic disease of pigs, has spread to a fourth province in South Africa, the agricultural ministry said on Monday, following a spate of outbreaks last month.
Wednesday, May 15th 2019 - 09:59 UTC
Ex Brazilian president Temer released from jail with conditions

A Brazilian court ordered former president Michel Temer's release from jail with conditions on Tuesday, less than a week after he was detained for a second time in a case related to a corruption scandal that has ensnared several high-profile South American politicians.
Wednesday, May 15th 2019 - 09:58 UTC
Venezuelan forces impede opposition lawmakers from entering parliament

Venezuelan security forces prevented opposition lawmakers from entering the parliament building for a session on Tuesday, a week after the top court stripped several lawmakers of their immunity amid a political crisis in the South American country.
Wednesday, May 15th 2019 - 09:57 UTC
Brazilian General: Venezuelans military oust Maduro and lead a transition, or divisions risk a civil war

Venezuela’s armed forces will either depose President Nicolas Maduro and lead a transition to democratic rule or face divisions that risk a civil war, the Brazilian government’s top security adviser said on Tuesday.
Wednesday, May 15th 2019 - 09:56 UTC
Environmental emergency in Mexico City; classes and football match suspended, and cars restricted on Wednesday

Authorities declared an environmental emergency on Tuesday for metropolitan Mexico City, one of the world's most populous megalopolises, as smoke from nearby wildfires pushed pollution to levels deemed potentially harmful to human health.
Wednesday, May 15th 2019 - 09:55 UTC
Brazil withdraws from hosting a Latin America climate conference next August

Brazil has withdrawn its offer to host Latin America and Caribbean climate week, a key milestone leading up to the annual UN negotiations. Initially set to take place from 19 to 23 August in Salvador, the event is part of a series of regional summits to encourage dialogue between governments and civil society, in support of national climate pledges.
Wednesday, May 15th 2019 - 09:54 UTC
May and Corbyn Brexit legislation will be put before parliament first week of June

Prime Minister Theresa May's government will publish draft legislation in the first week of June that would allow Brexit to proceed if approved by parliament, a Downing Street spokesman announced on Tuesday.
Wednesday, May 15th 2019 - 09:53 UTC
Brazil's government cuts economic growth forecast, insists Congress must approve pensions' reform

Brazil’s government will cut its 2019 economic growth forecast to below 2% and seek supplementary funding from state-run BNDES development bank to meet current expenditure and avoid breaking its fiscal rules, Economy Ministry officials said on Tuesday.
Wednesday, May 15th 2019 - 09:52 UTC
Ex Lima mayor jailed after admitting benefiting from the Odebrecht corruption network in Peru

A Peruvian judge on Tuesday sentenced former Lima mayor Susana Villaran to 18 months' preventive detention for accepting illegal campaign funds from Brazilian construction firms Odebrecht and OAS. The Odebrecht bribery scandal, which has washed through Latin America, runs deep in Peru, where the country's last four presidents are accused of receiving illegal payoffs.