Stories for September 2019

Saturday, September 14th 2019 - 21:58 UTC
Google settles tax dispute with France paying almost one billion Euros

US internet giant Google has agreed a settlement totaling €945 million (US$1 billion) to end a tax dispute in France under an agreement announced in court on Thursday. The company will pay a €500 million fine for tax evasion, as well as a further €465 million to settle claims with French tax authorities.
Saturday, September 14th 2019 - 21:56 UTC
ECB slashes rates to its lowest and introduces quantitative easing to stimulate the European economy

The European Central Bank announced a sweeping round of stimulus for the continent's slowing economy, cutting interest rates to their lowest ever level and introducing a round of quantitative easing.
Saturday, September 14th 2019 - 21:51 UTC
French ruling covers casual sex consequences as possible work related accidents in business trips

Should a heart attack during an adulterous tryst on a business trip count as a work-related accident? A French court has ruled it should, surprising even seasoned watchers of the country's protective legislation.
Saturday, September 14th 2019 - 21:32 UTC
US and Brazil on first high-level strategic dialogue in seven years: trade and biodiversity in the agenda

The United States and Brazil are deepening a new era of closer cooperation with their first high-level strategic dialogue in seven years.
Saturday, September 14th 2019 - 21:29 UTC
Google to become “editor in chief” with logarithms outstanding original reporting

Original reporting will be highlighted in Google's search results, the company said as it announced changes to its algorithm. The world's largest search engine has come under increasing criticism from media outlets, mainly because of its algorithms - a set of instructions followed by computers - that newspapers have often blamed for plummeting online traffic and the industry's decline.
Saturday, September 14th 2019 - 20:22 UTC
Fire in Rio do Janeiro leaves at least twelve people dead

A fire erupted in a hospital in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, leaving at least twelve people dead and forcing medical staff and desperate relatives to rescue patients from the smoke-filled wards.
Saturday, September 14th 2019 - 20:17 UTC
Low profile talks between Venezuelan government and opposition continue sponsored by the Boston Group

A group of Venezuelan government officials and opposition activists are quietly holding talks focused on the economy despite the stalling of a formal dialogue mediated by Norway, according to nine sources involved.
Saturday, September 14th 2019 - 20:09 UTC
Trump claims Bolton was holding him back on policy towards Venezuela

President Donald Trump warned that the exit of his hawkish national security adviser won't bring a softening of the US position on Venezuela. Bolton, a prominent hardliner in Washington's attempt to pressure Venezuelan strongman President Nicolas Maduro from power, was sacked last week
Saturday, September 14th 2019 - 20:07 UTC
Malaysia and Indonesia clash over fires in the rain forest allegedly involving palm plantations

Malaysia’s Minister of Primary Industries Teresa Kok expressed concern on Friday over a statement released by Indonesian authorities regarding the sealing of land owned by subsidiaries of four Malaysian plantation companies. Fire was said to be raging on the properties, contributing to haze in the region.
Saturday, September 14th 2019 - 13:16 UTC
Maduro wants Guaidó jailed for a photo with two members of a Colombian drug group

Venezuela's state prosecutor's office said on Friday it would open an investigation into Juan Guaido after the interior minister presented photos on state television showing the opposition leader in the company of two suspected members of a Colombian drug-trafficking group.