Stories for May 2019

Friday, May 10th 2019 - 09:53 UTC
Mike Zuckerberg has become far too powerful, Facebook has to be broken up, says the social media co-founder

One of the co-founders of Facebook called on Thursday for the social media behemoth to be broken up, warning that the company's head, Mark Zuckerberg, had become far too powerful.
Friday, May 10th 2019 - 09:52 UTC
BBC presenter fired for a tweet about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's baby

The BBC on Thursday fired radio presenter Danny Baker for a tweet about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's baby. The post, which has now been deleted, showed an image of a couple holding hands with a chimpanzee, which is dressed in clothes, alongside the caption: “Royal baby leaves hospital”.
Friday, May 10th 2019 - 09:51 UTC
Trump called Trudeau and offers support for Canadians sentenced to death in China

US President Donald Trump spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday and offered his support for Canadian citizens detained in China, the White House said. Four Canadians have been detained in China, two of whom have been sentenced to death over drug smuggling accusations.
Friday, May 10th 2019 - 09:50 UTC
Vital role of penguins and seals poo for Antarctica bio-diversity

For more than half a century, biologists studying Antarctica focused their research on understanding how organisms cope with the continent's severe drought and the coldest conditions on the planet. One thing they didn't really factor in, however, was the role played by the nitrogen-rich droppings from colonies of cute penguins and seals - until now.
Friday, May 10th 2019 - 09:11 UTC
Shell to invest US$ 2bn annually in Brazil until 2025

Shell plans to invest as much as US$2 billion annually in its Brazilian operations by 2025, Shell’s chief executive officer Ben van Beurden told Brazilian business daily Valor Economico in an exclusive interview published on Thursday.
Friday, May 10th 2019 - 08:56 UTC
The US seizes North Korean cargo ship accusing it of violating UN sanctions

The United States says it has seized a North Korean cargo ship, accusing it of violating international sanctions. The justice department said the ship was used to transport coal, North Korea largest export but subject to a UN export ban. The vessel was initially impounded in Indonesia in April 2018.
Friday, May 10th 2019 - 08:44 UTC
Bolsonaro will finally be honored at a foreign affairs event in Texas on 16 May

Brazil’s right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro will speak at a foreign affairs event in Texas next week, organizers said, after he cancelled a heavily criticized visit to New York City.
Friday, May 10th 2019 - 08:34 UTC
Pompeo threatens Teheran with “swift and decisive” response to any attack by Iran

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday threatened a “swift and decisive” US response to any attack by Iran, in the latest of a series of escalating statements and actions.
Friday, May 10th 2019 - 08:30 UTC
Breaking tradition Trump plans to nominate an ex Pentagon supplier as defense secretary

President Donald Trump plans to nominate Patrick Shanahan, a former Boeing Co executive, as his defense secretary, the White House said on Thursday, breaking with tradition by choosing someone who made a career at a top defense company as Pentagon chief.
Friday, May 10th 2019 - 08:30 UTC
“Spider” man arrested in Ecuador and sentenced to two years in prison

A Japanese man was sentenced to two years in prison in Ecuador for attempting to smuggle a massive haul of creepy crawlies out of the country, officials said on Thursday.