Fire at Argentine oil refinery contained in time
8/23/2024
A tank at the Ingeniero Enrique Mosconi Refinery Industrial Complex in the city of Ensenada -south of Buenos Aires and east of La Plata- belonging to Argentina's State-run oil company YPF caught fire Thursday at around 4.30 pm. The high smoke clouds polluted a vast part of the densely populated area but no victims were mentioned in the preliminary report.
Continue reading
Venezuela's TSJ rules that Maduro won the July 28 elections
8/23/2024
The Electoral Chamber of Venezuela's Supreme Court (TSJ) ruled Thursday that incumbent President Nicolás Maduro won the July 28 polls and therefore has been reelected for the 2025-2031 term, Chief Justice Caryslia Rodríguez announced.
Continue reading
Clinton and Lula hold telephone conference
8/23/2024
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his former US colleague Bill Clinton held a 35-minute telephone conversation Thursday to discuss climate change, energy transition, and the protection of forests, among other environmental issues.
Continue reading
US Embassy in Buenos Aires issues “black widow” travel alert
8/23/2024
The United States Embassy in Buenos Aires Thursday issued an alert to American travelers willing to visit the Argentine capital given an increase in cases of “black widows,” women who drug their occasional partners to steal their belongings, particularly at bars and among users of dating apps.
Continue reading
Paraguay signs understanding with Meta to tackle electoral fake news
8/23/2024
Paraguay's Electoral Justice reached an understanding this week with social media giants Meta to tackle campaign misinformation. The company owns platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The agreement was reached at a meeting in Asunción on the occasion of the Aug. 20-21 XVII Inter-American Meeting of Electoral Authorities 2024.
Continue reading
Four LatAm countries insist Venezuela's TSJ consolidated fraud
8/23/2024
Four Latin American countries were quick Thursday to voice their disagreement with Venezuela's Supreme Court (TSJ) ratifying incumbent President Nicolás Maduro's alleged win at the July 28 elections despite fraud denunciations by the opposition backed by the Organization of American States (OAS) and a large part of the international community.
Continue reading
C24 visiting mission to British Virgin Islands next week
8/23/2024
The United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization, also identified as C24, currently chaired by Menissa Rambally (Saint Lucia), will undertake a visiting mission to the British Virgin Islands from 26 to 27 August.
Continue reading
Brazil to tackle abuse of refugee status by irregular immigrants
8/22/2024
Brazil's Justice Ministry announced Wednesday that transit passengers will not be allowed to remain indefinitely at airports if they do not have an entry permit into South America's largest country. The measure will only apply to people arriving in Brazil from countries that require a visa and do not have Brazil as their final destination. The Federal Police (PF) argues that refugee claims are being used by criminal organizations as a pretext.
Continue reading
Sailor tests negative for mpox but positive for chickenpox in Argentina
8/22/2024
Authorities in the Argentine province of Santa Fe confirmed Wednesday that the crew member of the INA LOTTE cereal freighter ship with symptoms compatible with monkeypox tested negative for the malady the World Health Organization declared last week to be a PHEIC (public health emergency of international concern). However, the man did have chickenpox.
Continue reading
Antarctic Treaty Secretariat: vacancy for Executive Secretary
8/22/2024
The Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting invites applications for the role of Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty. Apply to the FCDO by 30 September 2024.
Continue reading
Colombian gov't targets mercenary market
8/22/2024
Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo filed a bill before Congress Wednesday to legislate against the creation, financing, and training of mercenary groups in the country. The initiative took into account the involvement of 26 Colombian nationals in the July 7, 2021, murder of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, among other notorious incidents.
Continue reading
Launching of HMS Cardiff on a submersible barge before floating
8/22/2024
Latest footage shows HMS Cardiff, the second of eight Type 26 frigates being moved from land onto a submersible barge before being floated off downriver.
Continue reading
Sydney Aquarium mourns death of partner of famous 'same-sex' Gentoo penguin couple
8/22/2024
A penguin which became famous for being in a same-sex male relationship, has died at the age of 11, the Sydney Sea Life Aquarium has announced. “Staff at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium are heartbroken to share the news that Sphen, one-half of the world's most famous and loved gentoo penguin couples, has sadly passed away,” the aquarium said in a statement.
Continue reading
UK Space Command successfully launches first military satellite
8/22/2024
A UK satellite to support military operations successfully launched into space. Named Tyche, the satellite is UK Space Command’s first satellite which can capture daytime images and videos of the Earth’s surface.
Continue reading
Record 2023/24 cruise season for Uruguay; port incentives for 2024/25 season
8/21/2024
Uruguay will be reducing 20% port tariffs for cruise vessels this coming season 2024/25, announced further infrastructure facilities in Maldonado and marinas for large yachts in the harbors of Carmelo and Colonia, just across from Buenos Aires.
Continue reading
Argentine gov't lifts operational restrictions from BA's Aeroparque
8/21/2024
The Argentine administration of President Javier Milei adopted new measures to further deepen the open skies policies regarding Buenos Aires' metropolitan Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP/SABE) airfield.
Continue reading
Brazilian airliner falls with 62 people on board
8/21/2024
An ATR-72 twin turboprop of Voepass Linhas Aéreas crashed Friday in the Sao Paulo State residential area of Vinhedo while approaching Guarulhos International Airport. None of the total 62 people (58 passengers and four crew members) on board is believed to have survived.
Continue reading
Aerolíneas Argentinas pilots' protests affecting travel arrangements
8/21/2024
Aerolineas Argentinas flights might be canceled or delayed in the coming days as the Airline Pilots Association (APLA) is planning to stage a series of measures over wages pending updating and other claims. In addition, the union grouping flight attendants is also considering a similar attitude, it was reported in Buenos Aires.
Continue reading
Panama Canal ups vessel draft to 50 feet
8/21/2024
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has sent a notice to shipping lines announcing that the maximum draught for vessels passing through the Neopanamax locks between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans has been increased to 50 feet (15.24 meters). The ACP explained this decision was made in light of the current and projected water levels in Lake Gatun for the coming weeks.
Continue reading
Upheaval in UK mortgage market: banks and building societies to meet Chancellor Hunt
8/21/2024
Following on Thursday interest rate hike by the Bank of England, BBC is reporting that banks and building societies are to meet Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to discuss the upheaval in the mortgage market.
Continue reading
Falklands Government acquires Stanley Growers provider of 90% of fresh vegetables and fruit
8/21/2024
Last 21 June it was announced that the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) would be acquiring Stanley Growers Limited and Stanley Nurseries and Garden Centre and the land which both businesses occupy, with the intention of managing the business for a time before selling it.
Continue reading
China's leading property company again in financial trouble: debt of US$ 328 billion
8/21/2024
Trading of shares in Chinese property giant Evergrande and its two subsidiaries was suspended in Hong Kong on Thursday. A market statement on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange did not explain why trading in Evergrande Group's securities, and share certificates of Evergrande Property Services Group and Evergrande Electric Vehicle Group was halted.
Continue reading
Another major Chinese construction and real estate developer ready to fall
8/21/2024
China Construction Bank (Asia), a state owned financial institution filed a petition in Hong Kong to wind up the Shamao Group, after the Chinese real estate and construction developer failed to repay loans worth HK$1.58bn (US$ 201.8m; £159.7m).
Continue reading
Falklands extra funds for Tussac House project, to be finished by end of year
8/21/2024
Following approval at the Falkland Islands Executive Council on Tuesday 25 June, it was agreed for additional funds to be allocated to the Tussac House, sheltered homes project.
Continue reading
Shopify vs Shopify Plus: What are the differences?
8/21/2024
If you're in the ecommerce space, chances are you're either already using Shopify or considering it. It’s very popular among merchants making it the second most popular platform after WooCommerce. It's also the most searched ecommerce solution on Google, so if you haven't started using it yet, it's likely on your radar.
Continue reading
ECLAC highlights low investments and productivity in the region
8/21/2024
The Santiago de Chile-based Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) issued this week a new edition of its annual Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean 2024 report highlighting the region's poor investment performance, low labor productivity, and limited fiscal space.
Continue reading
Falklands stands down on Argos Georgia missing crewmembers recovery
8/21/2024
On Wednesday 31 July 2024, the Falkland Islands Government formally stood down the recovery efforts to locate the missing crew members following the loss of the fishing vessel Argos Georgia. This follows consideration of all circumstances and in line with all international requirements.
Continue reading
Falklands community memorial service for the M/V Argos Georgia and crew
8/21/2024
On Sunday 4th August the Falkland Islands community came together in a moving memorial service for the crew of the lost Argos Georgia. The service was held at the Falkland Islands Defense Force Hall at 14:00 hours.
Continue reading
Falklands checks Orkney facilities, seat for next year's Island Games
8/21/2024
With the upcoming Island Games, Orkney 12 to 18 July 2025 just around the corner, and with the anticipated participation of a Falkland Islands delegation, Mike Summers, chair of the Falklands National Sports Council advanced some leads as to what can be expected next year, since he recently visited the Scottish Island.
Continue reading
French rugby players released but unable to leave Argentina
8/21/2024
French international rugby players Oscar Jégou and Hugo Auradou, both aged 21, were released from their house arrest in the Argentine city of Mendoza Monday but will remain unable to leave the country pending the outcome of the rape trial against them after a complaint was filed by a local 39-year-old woman for things that allegedly happened in a downtown hotel after a match between La Bleu and The Pumas in July.
Continue reading
Builders find WWII bombs in Dua Lipa's home
8/21/2024
British-Albanian singer-songwriter Dua Lipa saw renovation works at her North London home halted when two unexploded bombs from World War II were discovered, the Daily Mail reported Tuesday. As a result, the entertainer had to pay for a soil survey before advancing with the construction of her own studio and a swimming pool.
Continue reading
Milei and Yuyito kiss during theatrical performance
8/21/2024
Argentine President Javier Milei was escorted by entertainer Amalia “Yuyito” González during his appearance at a theatrical performance at the Libertad Palace in Buenos Aires as the Libertarian Government launched its trial by jury initiative.
Continue reading
Brent crude down amid weak demand
8/21/2024
London's futures markets showed a 1.96% decline Tuesday for Brent crude oil to be delivered in October amid contracting demand, which drove it to US$ 80.69 as North Sea crude, the European benchmark, fell US$ 1.61 from the last Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) trading. Meanwhile, in New York, the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for delivery in the same period fell 2.11% and closed at US$ 76.80.
Continue reading
Santiago's electricity company given ultimatum
8/21/2024
The Chilean Government of President Gabriel Boric Font Thursday gave the electricity company Enel until midnight local time to reconnect the service to some 20,000 households in the Santiago Metropolitan Region (MR) where the outage reached its seventh day in a row. Energy Minister Diego Pardow held a press conference to explain the impending steps to terminate Enel's concession should it fail to deliver.
Continue reading
Milei tours Vaca Muerta and Chile with a focus on energy investments
8/21/2024
Argentine President Javier Milei resumed his mileage accruing habit Thursday with a trip to Vaca Muerta in the Patagonian province of Neuquén and later to Santiago, where he met with local businessmen but not with Gabriel Boric Font.
Continue reading
Power restored to customers in Santiago Metropolitan Region
8/21/2024
The Chilean Government said Friday that the electricity company Enel had met Thursday's goal to restore supply to 20,000 households in the Santiago Metropolitan Region (MR) after an outage that lasted seven days.
Continue reading
Chile's Supreme Court orders Jones Huala's release
8/21/2024
Chile's Supreme Court Friday ordered the immediate release of convicted Mapuche leader Facundo Jones Huala of Argentine origin because he had served out his sentence by June 14 and had therefore been “illegally deprived of his freedom.” The Mapuche Ancestral Resistance (RAM) activist had been convicted of arson and illegal possession of firearms in 2013.
Continue reading
Consumption plunges in Argentina despite Milei's optimism
8/21/2024
Consumption in Argentina has dropped below the pandemic and 2001 levels as the South American country's economy continues its erratic behavior under Libertarian President Javier Milei, whose administration depicts a different scenario. A survey conducted by the pollsters Scentia showed the loss of purchasing power and the recession on mass consumption.
Continue reading
China is the main buyer of Argentine beef and Beijing wants to increase bilateral trade further
8/21/2024
Argentina’s economic relationship with China has become increasingly important, with growing trade highlighted by increasing Argentine beef exports, points out the English language China Daily. Something which to a certain point is surprising, given the electoral campaign speeches of president Javier Milei, condemning all authoritarian regimes.
Continue reading
Brazil and China celebrate fifty years of diplomatic relations
8/21/2024
China and Brazil celebrated on August 15, fifty years of diplomatic relations, which with time paved the way for Beijing to become Latin America's largest economy main trading partner.
Continue reading
Argos Georgia: bodies of six Galician mariners expected Monday in Spain
8/21/2024
The inquests into the deaths of six 6 crew members of the FV Argos Georgia was opened this week in the Falkland Islands Coroners Court, Malcolm Simmons. Those in attendance, both virtually and in person, included Nigel Phillips, Governor of St Helena, (since the vessel flew the Red Ensign of St Helena), representatives for the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Nick Hibberd from the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch, Rosario Bernal, Consul General of Spain in London, and next of kin for crew members.
Continue reading
Falklands oil development: update on the consultation on Sea Lion offshore field
8/21/2024
On Tuesday 2 July 2024 it was announced that Navitas Petroleum Development and Production Ltd (Navitas) issued a revised Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) concerning its proposals for the drilling of oil wells and offshore production from the Sea Lion Field Northern Development Area, Phase 1 and 2.
Continue reading
Falklands cancels second season of Loligo squid for conservation reasons
8/21/2024
In July 2024 the Falkland Islands Fisheries Department conducted a routine pre-season survey prior to the second Loligo season, working in close partnership with local fishing companies. The survey results showed the lowest second pre-season biomass estimate since 2008, with the lower end of the estimate being below the Fisheries Department safe stock replenishment threshold of 10,000 tonnes.
Continue reading
Sunshine at Mount Pleasant Airport in July way above average
8/21/2024
July of 2024 saw the Mount Pleasant Airfield record a total of 90.3 hours of sunshine against an average of 70.1 hours, Falklands Radio reported citing Met Office data. The broadcaster also mentioned that lying snow was present for 18 days, partially due to the heavy snowfall at the end of June, despite temperatures being around average.
Continue reading
Falklands: Dave Morgan back as Acting Governor
8/21/2024
The Falkland Islands Acting Governor Dave Morgan is back in Stanley following a brief (boreal summer) holiday and has retaken his appointment. This means that Adam Pile OBE, Deputy Director Overseas Territories (FCDO) who replaced Dave in his absence will be returning to London.
Continue reading
Uruguayan brewery reopens after being deemed uncompetitive
8/21/2024
The FNC brewery in Minas in the department (province) of Lavalleja reopened Monday with some 30 workers to do some cleaning and maintenance before the others return next week, thus closing a long-standing conflict that threatened the survival of one of the plants belonging to Uruguay's most iconic beer producers.
Continue reading
Uruguay on mpox alert despite no cases reported yet
8/21/2024
Uruguay's Public Health Ministry is permanently monitoring the possibility of a monkeypox outbreak in the South American country but so far no cases have been detected, Minister Karina Rando explained Thursday during a press conference in Montevideo.
Continue reading
Uruguay's Central Bank keeps Monetary Policy Rate at 8.5%
8/21/2024
The Monetary Policy Committee (Copom) of Uruguay's Central Bank (BCU) decided Friday to maintain the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 8.5% for the third month in a row to help keep inflation downwards and en route to the 4.5% Monetary Policy Horizon, it was announced in Montevideo after the first Copom meeting chaired by BCU's new president, Washington Ribeiro.
Continue reading
Brazil begins auctioning of five port terminals
8/21/2024
Brazil will lease auction on Wednesday, 21 August five port terminals. The operation is organized by Brazil’s National Agency for Waterway Transportation (ANTAQ) and will be taking place at the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange.
Continue reading
Brazil's defense industry overseas sales on the rise; two aircraft are proven successes
8/21/2024
Brazil's defense industry is going from success to success which has materialized in record sales of US$ 1,47billion in seven months of 2024 which is higher than the whole of 2023, not a bad year with overall sales of US$ 1,5 billion.
Continue reading
Brazil forced to large imports of wheat, despite government's goal of self sufficiency
8/21/2024
Brazil's imports of wheat in the first seven months of the year are almost equal to the total volume purchased overseas during 2023. The report is from the Center for Advanced Studies in Applied Economics (Cepea) at the University of São Paulo, and most probably can be attributed to the catastrophic floods in the southern states of the country, which are the main producers of the grain.
Continue reading
Brazil eager to develop large-scale production of mpox vax
8/21/2024
Brazil's newly-formed monkeypox emergency committee underlined this week that one of its main goals was to develop a vaccine as one of its leading strategies with which to fight the malady the World Health Organization (WHO) last week deemed a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), Agencia Brasil reported.
Continue reading
New shipment of Argentine gold abroad reported
8/21/2024
A video of an armored truck carrying some 1500 gold bars from Argentina's Central Bank (BCRA) to the Ezeiza International Airport went viral Monday as the third such shipment -worth around US$ 250 million- was presumed to have left for London, it was reported in Buenos Aires. No special security was seen around the vehicle on the highway leading to the air terminal.
Continue reading
Argentine port terminal granted carbon-neutral certification
8/21/2024
The TecPlata terminal in the Argentine port of La Plata has been granted a carbon-neutral certification, making it the first in the country to achieve such a feat, thus confirming the company's global sustainability strategy. The new status means offsetting the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by an activity so that the balance is zero.
Continue reading
Jones Huala must leave Chile at the earliest
8/21/2024
Argentine-born Mapuche rebel Facundo Jones Huala must leave Chile as soon as he is discharged from the hospital where he was admitted after going on a hunger strike for 50 days to demand his freedom which the Supreme Court granted last week, the authorities in Santiago ruled last Friday.
Continue reading
Falklands longliner rescue operation: all crew members safe in located life rafts
8/21/2024
The Falkland Islands Maritime Authority reported early Tuesday morning that longliner Argos Georgia had been lost but fortunately, all 27 crew members were able to take to life rafts, and the rescue operation is now surface-centered in recovering the dispersed rafts in extreme weather conditions but with overwatch coverage.
Continue reading
BAS Professor Lloyd Peck awarded the 2024 SCAR Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research
8/21/2024
Professor Lloyd Peck FRS, Science Leader and marine biologist at British Antarctic Survey, has been announced as the 2024 recipient of the SCAR Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research. The medals, awarded by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), recognize exceptional service to the international Antarctic community and contributions to Antarctic and Southern Ocean research.
Continue reading
Argentina upgrades Petrel Antarctic base air and maritime facilities
8/21/2024
The three services of the Argentine Armed Forces, together with private sector companies have finished upgrading landing facilities at the Antarctic base of Petrel in the Antarctic Peninsula. Accordingly during the month of June a first medium sized aircraft, Saab 340 from the Argentine Air Force landed successfully at the new landing strip.
Continue reading
HMS Protector crosses Panama Canal as it prepares for Antarctica's 2024/25 season
8/21/2024
The Royal Navy’s ice patrol ship HMS Protector is swapping the high north for the deepest south after completing a successful mission to Canada’s polar waters. The Plymouth-based survey and scientific vessel usually patrols the Antarctic, but occasionally to Arctic climates to certify that she is able to operate in the icy northern regions, which are vastly different to work in despite their visual similarities.
Continue reading
BAS publishes carbon emissions for 2023/24, striving to reach net zero
8/21/2024
For the first time, the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) are publishing their carbon footprint data on their website to increase transparency and help other organizations reduce their carbon emissions.
Continue reading
Venezuelans stage ecumenic protest against elections dubious results
8/21/2024
Supporters of Venezuela's opposition Unitarian Democratic Platform (PUD) took to the streets of Caracas and of numerous other cities worldwide Saturday to insist that their candidate Edmundo González Urrutia needs to be recognized as the winner of the July 28 polls instead of the incumbent Nicolás Maduro, whom the National Electoral Council (CNE) announced as victor despite never producing the minutes to back up such a statement.
Continue reading
Uruguayan presidential hopeful wants negotiated solution for Venezuela
8/21/2024
Uruguayan opposition presidential candidate Yamandú Orsi this weekend supported a peaceful and negotiated solution to the Venezuelan crisis and insisted that “suffering should be the least possible.” The Broad Front nominee made those remarks when commenting on Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's suggestion that a coalition government of the ruling PSUV and the challenging PUD could be arranged pending fresh elections.
Continue reading
Borrell insists Maduro needs to produce the minutes
8/21/2024
The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell highlighted Monday that Venezuela was up for some “serious crisis” should Caracas continue not to produce the minutes of the July 28 polls which the National Electoral Council (CNE) said favored incumbent President Nicolás Maduro Moros.
Continue reading
Assembly Speaker claims NGOs in Venezuela respond to Washington
8/21/2024
Venezuelan National Assembly Speaker Jorge Rodríguez claimed Monday that Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) were Trojan horses used by Washington to destabilize his country.
Continue reading
At least 5 killed in Debby's first raid through the US
8/21/2024
Tropical Storm (or Hurricane) “Debby” has left at least 5 people dead and “catastrophic” flooding in the southern US after making landfall this week. President Joseph Biden has already decreed the emergency as further damage is expected in the coming days. Four of the casualties were in Florida and the other in Georgia.
Continue reading
Paris 2024 Olympic Games come to an end
8/21/2024
The Paris 2024 Olympics have come to an end. The traditional sporting competition, marred by contradicting arguments over the womanhood or lack thereof of an Algerian boxing fighter, ended with a colorful ceremony featuring US actor Tom Cruise as the main attraction performing a stunt.
Continue reading
Iranian hackers target Trump and Harris' camps
8/21/2024
The Iranian State-backed hacking group APT42 has been targeting the campaign headquarters of the two main political parties in the United States, Google said.
Continue reading
Colombia returns to Unasur, Petro announces
8/21/2024
Colombian President Gustavo Petro Tuesday announced in Brasilia the return of his country to the Union of South American Nations (Unasur). “I have requested that it be called Association of South American Nations to guarantee pluralism and permanence in time,” said Petro five years after then-President Ivan Duque left the organization claiming that it served the interests of the “dictatorship” of Venezuela.
Continue reading
Lula rebuts comments from Boric and Lacalle
8/21/2024
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated on Tuesday that the meeting of 11 South American presidents at the Itamaraty Palace was not a group of friends, but of presidents seeking regional coordination, reported Agência Brasil.
Continue reading
Paraná Waterway conflict: Paraguayan barge released after paying toll
8/21/2024
A Paraguayan barge with fuel seized by Argentine authorities for failure to pay the toll on the Paraguay-Paraná River Waterway has been released after posting nearly US$ 30,000, it was reported.
Continue reading
Disqualification of María Corina Machado shadows Venezuela's path to reconciliation
8/21/2024
The disqualification of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado from the Supreme Court Justice (TSJ) threatens the international aperture the South American country has experienced. The United States Government has issued a two-month ultimatum to the Maduro government, demanding the inclusion of barred opposition candidates in the upcoming presidential elections.
Continue reading
Joint statement issued against the arrest of Venezuelan opposition activist
8/21/2024
Given the arrest in Venezuela of opposition activist Rocío San Miguel last week, the governments of Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay issued a joint statement Thursday calling for her release.
Continue reading
Paraguay urges US to speed up Ambassador's departure
8/21/2024
The Paraguayan Government Thursday asked the United States to speed up the departure from Asunción of Ambassador Marc Ostfield after the diplomat spoke in favor of the sanctions applied by the OFAC to the tobacco company Tabesa, linked to former President Horacio Cartes, the mentor of the incumbent Santiago Peña.
Continue reading
Paraguayan Civilian Cabinet Chief Giménez resigns for personal reasons
8/21/2024
Paraguayan Civilian Cabinet Chief Lea Giménez resigned from her job Monday due to personal reasons. She conveyed her decision to President Santiago Peña during a meeting with other Ministers at the Mburuvicha Róga residence. She also relinquished her position as Counselor at the Itaipú Binational Entity (EBI).
Continue reading
Paraguayan congressman killed when Police raided his home
8/21/2024
Paraguayan Congressman Eulalio “Lalo” Gomes, of the ruling Colorado Party, was killed in the wee hours of Monday during a fudgy police raid at his home in the city of Pedro Juan Caballero (PJC). The operation had been ordered by a judge as part of a money laundering investigation. The South American country's Lower House declared three days of mourning and urged a thorough investigation into the incident. The Paraguayan flag was hoisted at half mast at the Legislative Palace.
Continue reading
Operation Sweetness, check your sugar when having coffee or tea
8/21/2024
The discovery of cocaine and other hard drugs shipments to Europe from South American Atlantic ports is not new and despite all efforts, the network of contacts coupled with ingenious methods to adapt to circumstances and obviously a notorious degree of corruption, keeps information flowing.
Continue reading
Lula criticizes Maduro's “bloodbath” threat ahead of Venezuelan Elections
8/21/2024
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed alarm at Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's recent remarks suggesting potential violence if he loses the upcoming election. Speaking in an interview with international news agencies, Lula condemned Maduro’s statements, which included threats of a “bloodbath” and “civil war,” as dangerous and unacceptable.
Continue reading
Argentina decrees 63% hike on Paraná-Paraguay Waterway tolls
8/21/2024
The Argentine administration of President Javier Milei decreed a 63% hike in the tolls collected from barges sailing through the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway effective this month. The adjustment set a new price of US$ 4.98 (from the previous US$ 3.06) per Net Register Ton (NRT). The figure is projected to reach US$ 6.04 per TRN in 2027.
Continue reading
Mercosur-China talks held in Montevideo
8/21/2024
Deputy Foreign Minister Nicolás Albertoni met Monday with his Chinese colleague Hua Chunying in Montevideo as the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) under Uruguay's rotating presidency kept pushing for a Free Trade Agreement with the Asian giant. Also present were dignitaries from the other members of the regional bloc as well as Beijing's Ambassador Huang Yazhong.
Continue reading
Mercosur's beef production up; Argentina's output and consumption down
8/21/2024
Cattle slaughtering within the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) in the first seven months of this year reached nearly 27 million head, which represented a 2.05 million increase from the same period of 2023 as well as an all-time high.
Continue reading
Brazil: The powerhouse of South America
8/21/2024
While Brazil needs no introduction, it certainly deserves one as the largest country in South America, and the fifth-largest country by area. However, between being a giant in terms of economy and tourism, there’s more to it than just its size. As such, today, we’ll be taking a deeper dive into this country, and what makes it deserve the title of powerhouse.
Continue reading
Paraguayan President concerned about Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba
8/21/2024
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Monday highlighted Latin America's peace and freedom but insisted that Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba should be matters of “enormous concern” for the international community.
Continue reading
Paraguay River downspout reaching historic lows
8/21/2024
Paraguay's National Administration of Navigation and Ports (ANNP) reported Tuesday that the Paraguay River had dawned two centimeters below Monday's level at 0.71 meters, dangerously approaching the Oct. 6, 2021, all-time low of -0.75 meters.
Continue reading
US sanctions former Haitian president for alleged drug trafficking
8/21/2024
The United States' Treasury Department Tuesday imposed a series of sanctions on former Haitian President Michel Joseph Martelly (2011-2016) for allegedly abusing his influence to facilitate drug trafficking. The former head of state is also accused of perpetuating the ongoing crisis in the Caribbean country.
Continue reading
Bolivia to focus on biodiesel production
8/21/2024
Bolivia's Minister of Rural Development and Lands, Yamil Flores, underlined Tuesday that his country would use biotechnology to produce biodiesel. He also noted that this technology, although promising, must be handled responsibly, considering its impact on people's health as well as on the environment.
Continue reading
Scottish company exploiting and abusing foreign mariners
8/21/2024
BBC is reporting that dozens of workers from around the world may have been trafficked into the UK to work for a small family-owned Scottish fishing firm. Thirty-five men from the Philippines, Ghana, India and Sri Lanka were recognized as victims of modern slavery by the Home Office after being referred to it between 2012 and 2020.
Continue reading
UK government announces £850m award of new contracts to defense suppliers
8/21/2024
Britain's has announced to award £850m of new contracts to defense suppliers supporting the readiness of the Royal Navy. Defense Procurement Minister Maria Eagle announced the plans which will allow 39 companies the opportunity to bid for contracts over the next seven years.
Continue reading
World's oldest person passes away aged 117
8/21/2024
María Branyas Morera, a US-born Spanish woman who was believed to be the world's longest-lived person following the passing of French nun Lucile Randon in January last year, died at the age of 117, her family announced on social media Tuesday. In her X account, she described herself as “very old, but not an idiot.” Branyas was living in a home for the elderly in Olot, Girona. Her family planned a strictly private memorial.
Continue reading
Mpox not the new Covid-19, WHO official explains
8/21/2024
Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) regional director for Europe, admitted Tuesday that mpox would not lead to a “cycle of panic” and lockdowns like Covid-19 did, despite the public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) declaration.
Continue reading
Freighter isolated off Argentine port due to suspected mpox case
8/21/2024
A Liberian-flagged cereal freighter was isolated off the Argentine port of San Lorenzo, north of Rosario on the Parana River, after a crewmember was reported to have monkeypox symptoms. The vessel stemmed from Spain.
Continue reading