Stories for February 19th 2020

Wednesday, February 19th 2020 - 06:49 UTC
China lifts tariffs on 696 products imported from the US, including farm and energy products

China said on Tuesday it would accept applications for new tariff exemptions for 696 products imported from the United States including key agricultural and energy products such as pork, beef, soybeans, liquefied natural gas and crude oil.
Wednesday, February 19th 2020 - 06:48 UTC
Modern, habitat restored South Georgia recalls Possession Day and James Cook in 1775

Some 245 years and a month ago, James Cook, after 3 years at sea, took possession of South Georgia and claimed the land for His Britannic Majesty, King George the Third. On what must have been a routine summer’s day (January 17th) in the South-West Atlantic, the explorer described what he had discovered as a ‘land doomed by nature to perpetual frigidness’.
Wednesday, February 19th 2020 - 06:46 UTC
Argentina industrial activity plummeted 6.3% in 2019, for the second year running

Argentina industrial activity plummeted 6.3% during 2019, completing two consecutive years of losses, reported the Argentina Industrial Union following a survey of the sector which showed auto manufacturing suffered the greatest contraction, 32.5%.
Wednesday, February 19th 2020 - 06:45 UTC
IMF chief: we are rethinking our advice to emerging markets

We need to understand better how various policy options interact our goal is to provide country-specific advice on the appropriate mix of policies needed to preserve growth and financial stability
Wednesday, February 19th 2020 - 06:45 UTC
Colombia orders Facebook to strengthen security measures to protect users personal data

Colombia issued an ultimatum to Facebook, telling the Silicon Valley-based tech giant it must strengthen its security measures to better protect users' personal data in the Andean country.
Wednesday, February 19th 2020 - 06:42 UTC
Cuba short of oil forced to burn old tyres to power factories

The Cuban government has ordered a cement factory to burn old tyres to power its operations and save on oil, amid a worsening fuel shortage brought on by US sanctions on the Communist island.
Wednesday, February 19th 2020 - 06:39 UTC
South Georgia readying the wharf to support “Sir David Attenborough”

The island of South Georgia is preparing to support the new British Polar Research Vessel, “Sir David Attenborough” with the construction of a new wharf at King Edward Point, reports the latest editions of the South Georgia Newsletter.
Wednesday, February 19th 2020 - 06:35 UTC
Bayer to appeal Missouri court award of US$ 265m to a US peach grower

German chemical giant Bayer is to appeal against a Missouri court's award of US$ 265m (£203m) to a US peach grower who blamed a herbicide for crop damage. Farmer Bill Bader sued Bayer and BASF, alleging that dicamba weed-killer drifted onto his orchard from nearby fields, destroying them.
Wednesday, February 19th 2020 - 06:24 UTC
Mexican government accused of failing to protect a murdered seven year old girl despite family pleas

Relatives of a seven-year-old girl murdered in Mexico said on Monday the government had failed to protect her despite their pleas, while President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador appeared to blame the crime on neo-liberal economics.