Stories for January 31st 2020

Friday, January 31st 2020 - 20:55 UTC
Man convicted for trying to steal the Magna Carta at Salisbury Cathedral

A man who tried steal an original copy of the 1215 Magna Carta, considered to be one of the most important documents in the history of democracy, from an English cathedral was found guilty on Thursday of criminal damage and attempted theft.
Friday, January 31st 2020 - 10:59 UTC
Argentine president meets Pope Francis, and later Italian premier and president

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez is in Italy, the first leg of his tour of Europe, which begins Friday with an official visit to Pope Francis, and Italian leadership, after which he will concentrate on trying to renegotiate the country's burdensome national debt.
Friday, January 31st 2020 - 10:26 UTC
Debate triggers in EU as to how the €12-billion hole left by UK will be filled

When Britain leaves the European Union at midnight on Friday (Jan 31) the bloc loses the second-biggest net contributor to its budget, leaving a €12-billion (US$13-billion) hole in its finances.
Friday, January 31st 2020 - 10:23 UTC
State of emergency in Australia's capital surrounded by bushfire

Australian officials declared a state of emergency for the capital city of Canberra and surrounding regions on Friday, as soaring temperatures and strong winds threatened to propel a large bushfire beyond the control of firefighters.
Friday, January 31st 2020 - 10:10 UTC
Bitterly divided Britain abandons European Union; Johnson message calling for unity expected

Britain this Friday, 31 January ends almost half a century of integration with its closest neighbours and leaves the European Union, starting a new - but still uncertain - chapter in its long history.
Friday, January 31st 2020 - 10:04 UTC
Thousands of tourists isolated in cruise vessel for fears of coronavirus

More than 6,000 tourists were under lockdown aboard a cruise ship at an Italian port on Thursday after two Chinese passengers were isolated over fears they could be carrying the coronavirus.
Friday, January 31st 2020 - 08:58 UTC
Brazilian Executive and Congress pledge to pass “administrative reform” bill

Brazil’s government will submit a bill that would reduce public sector costs and benefits and make it easier to fire workers to Congress “in a week or two,” Economy Minister Paulo Guedes said on Thursday.
Friday, January 31st 2020 - 08:52 UTC
Coronavirus: US warns its citizens not to travel to China, listed at same level as Afghanistan and Iraq

The U.S. government warned Americans not to travel to China as the death toll from a new coronavirus reached 213 on Friday and the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency.
Friday, January 31st 2020 - 08:48 UTC
Heavy rains and flooding forecasted for Asuncion, Paraguay and Porto Alegre, Brazil

Although flooding rain has already hit parts of Brazil so far in 2020, more rain and flooding could strike the southern part of the country in the coming week. In addition to southern Brazil, other parts of South America may also be threatened.
Friday, January 31st 2020 - 08:45 UTC
Petrobras asks Sao Paulo stock exchange to withdraw it from good governance certification

Brazilian state-run oil firm Petrobras said it has asked to withdraw its participation in a program certifying good governance and limited political interference in state companies set up by the Sao Paulo stock exchange.