MPs vote to seize control of Brexit from Theresa May

LONDON — Theresa May has suffered a major Brexit defeat after Members of Parliament voted to seize control of the the prime minister's plans for leaving the EU.

MPs voted by 329 to 302 to back an amendment which will allow the House of Commons to stage a series of "indicative votes" later this week, which are designed to guide the government's next steps on Brexit.

The result means the House of Commons will on Wednesday have the power to vote on alternatives to May's plan which are expected to include a softer Brexit, a second referendum, and potentially revoking Article 50.

https://www.businessinsider.com/indicative-votes-on-brexit-oliver-letwin-amendment-theresa-may-2019-3

Nike responds to Michael Avenatti's arrest: 'Nike will not be extorted'

Nike has issued its first public response to allegations that Michael Avenatti attempted to extort the company.

The lawyer, who reached notoriety for representing Stormy Daniels in past years, was arrested and charged with attempting to extort $20 million from sportswear brand Nike on Monday.

He tried to force Nike to pay up by "threatening to use his ability to garner publicity to inflict substantial financial & reputational harm on the company if his demands were not met," according to the criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of New York.

Nike issued its first response to the allegations later on Monday.

"Nike will not be extorted or hide information that is relevant to a government investigation," the company told Business Insider in a statement.

https://www.businessinsider.com/nike-responds-to-michael-avenatti-arrest-and-extortion-charge-2019-3

Russia labels GMOs, while America’s government sells out to the biotech poisoners and propagandists

GMO labeling laws have been a source of controversy in the United States for quite some time. Consumer advocates have called upon the federal government to protect Americans’ right to freedom of choice and to encourage transparency in the food industry, but officials seem to be more interested in defending corporate interests. Industry leaders are afraid proper GMO labeling will interfere with their bottom lines — that alone should be a huge red flag. But while federal officials in the United States are twiddling their thumbs over GMOs, nations around the world are beginning to take action. Russia, for example, just introduced clear GMO labeling on all foods.

While GMO labeling laws have been passed in the United States, the proposed implementation of such laws leaves much to be desired. Critics say GMO labeling practices enacted here in America function more like propaganda for the biotech industry. Brightly colored smiley-face stickers that don’t even bear the letters “GMO” are hardly a clear identifier, after all. Heaven forbid Americans actually make informed decisions about the food they eat– the entire industry would collapse overnight if people knew what they were really getting.

Clear GMO labeling comes to Russia

https://newstarget.com/2019-03-25-russia-labels-gmos-while-americas-government-sells-out-to-the-biotech-poisoners.html

Republican congressman reads Adolf Hitler quotes on the House floor to slam Democrats and the press

WASHINGTON — Republican Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama read quotes from Adolf Hitler aloud on the House floor Monday in an attempt to denigrate his Democratic colleagues and members of the media.

Brooks spent the portion of his nearly five-minute speech quoting from Hitler's "Mein Kampf" and applying its lessons to how he believes certain groups have behaved toward President Donald Trump as it related to the now-closed special counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 elections.

https://www.businessinsider.com/republican-mo-brooks-reads-adolf-hitler-quotes-to-slam-democrats-press-2019-3

Vale reports Brazil state authorities freeze $765 million of its assets

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Brazilian state prosecutors and public defenders in the state of Minas Gerais have won a bid to freeze assets worth 2.95 billion reais ($765 million) belonging to Vale, which has been struggling since a lethal dam rupture at one of its mines, the company said in a filing on Monday.

According to the filing, the decision was based on ensuring compensation for those who may have suffered losses from the cessation of operations at Vale’s South Upper dam at Gongo Soco in Barão de Cocais.

“The company has not yet been formally notified of the decision and will take appropriate action within the legal deadline,” Vale said.

Vale has been dealing with a flurry of orders halting its mining operations at several sites after the rupture of one of its tailings dam in January that killed more than 300 people in the town of Brumadinho.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vale-sa-disaster/vale-reports-brazil-state-authorities-freeze-765-million-of-its-assets-idUSKCN1R7038

Scotland's natural assets valued for the first time ever at £273 billion

SCOTLAND’S mountains, rivers, glens and other natural treasures are worth hundreds of billions of pounds to its economy, a new study has found.

Official Scottish Government figures placed the partial asset value of Scotland's "natural capital" at around £273 billion – 34 per cent of the overall UK total.

This takes in everything from oil and gas to timber production and renewable energy, as well as cash generated from outdoor recreation and fishing.

A quarter of the value was attributed to “non-material benefits” not directly captured in other economic measurements, such as gross domestic product (GDP).

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said the publication marked “the first time we have produced a detailed set of accounts which puts a monetary value on the significant benefits we get from nature”.

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17520670.scotlands-natural-assets-valued-for-the-first-time-ever-at-273-billion/?ref=rss