Stories for January 19th 2026

Monday, January 19th 2026 - 18:45 UTC
Trump’s obsession: why central bankers came out in support of Fed’s chair Powell

By John Hawkins (*) - Central bankers from around the world have issued a joint statement of support for US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, as he faces a criminal probe on top of mounting pressure from US President Donald Trump to resign early.
Monday, January 19th 2026 - 18:43 UTC
A fairy penguin in Falklands, a long way from home in New Zealand

The Falkland Islands have recently been delighted to welcome a new visitor all the way from New Zealand!
Monday, January 19th 2026 - 12:59 UTC
South Georgia, Discovery Investigations: 100 Years Of Marine Science Stamp Release

Two-hundred and fifty years ago Captain James Cook landed at Possession Bay and took possession of South Georgia, in the name of King George III and his heirs.
Monday, January 19th 2026 - 12:46 UTC
Falklands: website of the Islands’ Dictionary of Biographies 2025 success

2025 saw an increase in the number of ‘hits’ on the website of the Dictionary of Falklands Biography, DBF. The total number of hits was 27,025, a substantial increase on the previous year’s figure of 22,257.
Monday, January 19th 2026 - 11:18 UTC
Rio’s Carnival Kicks Off with 462 Street Parades and 6 Million Expected Attendees

The street Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, one of the world’s largest public cultural celebrations, begins this weekend with 462 scheduled street parades (blocos) and an expected attendance of around six million people, Brazilian state media Agência Brasil reported.
Monday, January 19th 2026 - 11:01 UTC
Orsi on Lula’s absence at EU-Mercosur signing: “Any absence does not leave a good impression”

Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi expressed disapproval over the absence of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during the signing of the landmark free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and the Mercosur bloc, held in Asunción on January 17.
Monday, January 19th 2026 - 10:57 UTC
EU-Mercosur trade deal could turn South America into a critical minerals powerhouse

The free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and the Mercosur bloc (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) could help turn South America into a major player in the global market for critical minerals and rare earths, EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič said in an interview with EFE from Asunción.
Monday, January 19th 2026 - 10:36 UTC
IMF keeps Argentina’s growth outlook at 4% for 2026 and 2027 amid fragile global balance

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reaffirmed its projections for Argentina’s economy, forecasting growth of 4% in both 2026 and 2027, unchanged from its previous estimates published in October. The figures appear in the latest update of the World Economic Outlook (WEO), presented on Monday in Brussels.
Monday, January 19th 2026 - 10:21 UTC
Spain: High-speed train derailment in Córdoba kills at least 39

At least 39 people were killed and more than 100 injured after two high-speed trains derailed on Sunday afternoon near the town of Adamuz, in southern Spain, marking one of the country’s deadliest rail disasters in recent years.
Monday, January 19th 2026 - 04:05 UTC
Chile wildfires kill at least 18; Boric orders curfew and declares state of catastrophe

Wildfires sweeping through south-central Chile have killed at least 18 people—later updated by government reports to 19—and forced the evacuation of more than 50,000 residents in the Ñuble and Biobío regions amid extreme heat and strong winds.