Economy

• Thursday, December 13th 2018 - 07:07 UTC

  Spain's minimum wage will increase by 22% in 2019, announces PM Sanchez

  

  Spain's minimum wage will jump by 22% in 2019 - the largest annual increase in more than 40 years. It means millions of low-paid workers could see a pay rise from €736 ($835; £665) to €900, effective from January. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the increase on Wednesday, declaring “a rich country cannot have poor workers”.

• Thursday, December 13th 2018 - 06:57 UTC

  Brazilian central bank keeps interest rates at an all time low

  

  The Brazilian central bank on Wednesday held interest rates at an all-time low, as widely expected, and hinted that it will hold off from raising them for longer than expected. The bank’s nine-member monetary policy committee, Copom, kept the benchmark Selic rate at 6.50 percent for a sixth straight meeting.

• Thursday, December 13th 2018 - 06:22 UTC

  Falklands goes ahead with negotiations and contract for second commercial flight

  

  The Executive Council has today Wednesday authorised the Chief Executive of the Falkland Islands Government to complete the necessary negotiations with LATAM Airlines Brazil and to finalise a contract, subject to agreement with MLAs, to establish and operate a new weekly route between Sao Paulo and the Falkland Islands.

• Wednesday, December 12th 2018 - 18:32 UTC

  Money markets bet Theresa May will win the confidence vote

  

  The pound has risen amid speculation that Prime Minister Theresa May will win the vote of confidence in her leadership on Wednesday evening. The currency is trading 1.4% higher against the dollar at $1.2660 and 0.9% higher against the euro at €1.1132.

• Wednesday, December 12th 2018 - 14:59 UTC

  Study reveals that 8 million Venezuelans would migrate during 2019

  

  A study carried out by Harvard University economists Dany Bahar and Douglas Barrios reveals that at least 8.2 million Venezuelan citizens would leave during 2019 their country to escape the economic and political crisis that Venezuela is experiencing.

• Wednesday, December 12th 2018 - 08:41 UTC

  China prepared to cut tariffs on US-made cars to 15%, reports Bloomberg

  

  China has reportedly proposed cutting tariffs on US-made cars to 15%, the same tax levied on car imports from other countries. Bloomberg reported that China's cabinet will review the plans, which would undo the 40% import duty China imposed on US cars this summer.

• Wednesday, December 12th 2018 - 08:21 UTC

  Tory Brexiteers confident they can force a no confidence vote in Theresa May

  

  Tory Brexiteers are increasingly confident they have enough support to trigger a no-confidence vote in Theresa May as party leader. If 48 Conservative MPs submit letters to say they no longer support her, a leadership challenge will be launched. There is no confirmation but sources, including a cabinet minister, have said they believe 48 letters have been sent.

• Wednesday, December 12th 2018 - 07:19 UTC

  Huawei conflict: Trump intervenes; Ms Meng granted bail in Canadian court

  

  Donald Trump says he could intervene in the case of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou if it helps to avoid a further decline in US relations with China. “Whatever's good for this country, I would do,” the US president said.

• Wednesday, December 12th 2018 - 06:37 UTC

  Mexico to invest US$ 30bn in the “Central American conundrum” and improve migration relations with US

  

  Mexico will invest more than US$ 30 billion in its poor southern states over the next five years, the foreign minister said, boosting the region economically as part of efforts to curb migration. Under pressure from the United States, Mexico is grappling to halt the northward flow of migrants fleeing violence and poverty in Central America.

• Wednesday, December 12th 2018 - 06:28 UTC

  Ex PM John Major calls to revoke Brexit and involving parliament and people in “a serious reflection”

  

  Britain must revoke its notice to quit the European Union with immediate effect to allow for “serious and profound reflection” by both parliament and the people, former Prime Minister John Major said on Tuesday.