Stories for August 2018

Tuesday, August 21st 2018 - 08:04 UTC
Emus flock to towns as Australia continues to struggle with extreme drought

Large numbers of emus have been flocking to an outback mining town in New South Wales as Australia continues to struggle with extreme drought. The flightless birds are desperately searching for food and water in Broken Hill, local animal rescue services say.
Monday, August 20th 2018 - 08:14 UTC
Falklands Development Corporation has a new Development Manager, Michael Poole

The former Member of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly, Michael Poole took up the position of Development Manager at the Falkland Islands Development Corporation at the start of the month, heading the Business Development team.
Monday, August 20th 2018 - 08:12 UTC
Pharaohs also loved cheese: 3.200 year old sample (with brucellosis) found at a tomb of Ptahmes

Aged cheeses might have an appeal but a 3,200-year-old sample of the popular dairy product found in Egypt may be just a little too old — and diseased — for even the most dedicated cheese connoisseurs.
Monday, August 20th 2018 - 08:07 UTC
Cruise passenger rescued after ten hours in the Adriatic Sea

The identity of a British woman who miraculously survived 10 hours in the Adriatic Sea after falling from a cruise ship has been revealed. Kay Longstaff, 46, fell into the sea from the Norwegian Star. Passengers claim Ms Longstaff returned to deck after a night of drinking to retrieve her passport and handbag, before tumbling overboard.
Monday, August 20th 2018 - 07:52 UTC
HMS Exeter sunk in 1942 by Japan has been plundered by Chinese pirates

Ten British ships sunk during the Second World War and designated as war graves have been plundered for scrap metal by Chinese pirates, an investigation by The Mail on Sunday has found. They include HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Exeter which was involved in the River Plate battle against the Graf Spee, closely operating from the Falkland Islands.
Monday, August 20th 2018 - 07:32 UTC
Messages of condolence and praise, from all over the world for Kofi Annan

Kofi Annan, the only black African to become UN secretary-general, has died. The 80-year-old “passed away peacefully on Saturday after a short illness”, the foundation named after him said. His home country, Ghana, has declared a week of national mourning. Condolence messages have been pouring from all the world and international figures.
Monday, August 20th 2018 - 07:20 UTC
Maduro launches new currency with five zeroes less but the same misery for the people

Uncertainty reigned in Venezuela after President Nicolas Maduro unveiled a major economic reform plan aimed at halting the spiraling hyperinflation that has thrown the oil-rich, cash-poor country into chaos. Ahead of a major currency overhaul on Monday, when Caracas will start issuing new banknotes after slashing five zeroes off the crippled Bolívar, Maduro detailed other measures he hopes will pull Venezuela out of crisis.
Monday, August 20th 2018 - 07:08 UTC
Brazil sending troops to Venezuela border following clashes between locals and refugees

Brazil is sending additional troops to its northern frontier after residents of one of its border towns attacked Venezuelan immigrants, forcing hundreds of them to flee back into their country. Brazil's Ministry of Public Security said over the weekend it would send an additional 60 soldiers to Roraima on Monday, reinforcing a contingent already operating in the northern state.
Sunday, August 19th 2018 - 18:26 UTC
Complications for the diaspora: Venezuelans can only flee with a passport to Peru or Ecuador

The Ministry of the Interior of Peru has announced that as of the dawn of next Saturday, August 25, Venezuelans will be required to present their passport to be admitted to the country. This measure coincides with that taken by Ecuador this week when it reached record figures in the entry of Venezuelan citizens in that country. The National Superintendency of Migrations of Peru recorded last Saturday the largest number of Venezuelan citizens who entered the country in a single day: more than 5,100.
Saturday, August 18th 2018 - 08:13 UTC
Donald Trump wants US companies 'to stop quarterly reporting & go to a six month system'

Donald Trump has called for US companies to issue financial reports just twice a year rather than four times. The US President said he has asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to consider altering rules requiring firms to report every quarter.