Stories for December 2014

Friday, December 12th 2014 - 08:59 UTC
Plastic litter in oceans estimated in 269.000 tons, say US scientists

Plastic pollution is pervasive in Earth's oceans: plastic shopping bags, bottles, toys, action figures, bottle caps, pacifiers, tooth brushes, boots, buckets, deodorant roller balls, umbrella handles, fishing gear, toilet seats and so much more.
Friday, December 12th 2014 - 07:16 UTC
US Congress passes 1.1tn budget which funds government until 09/2015

The US House of Representatives has passed a 1.1tn dollar budget hour before government was due to shut down at midnight on Thursday. The Republican measure passed by 219 votes to 206 after President Barack Obama had urged Democrats to support the measure.
Friday, December 12th 2014 - 07:06 UTC
Brazil hikes soybean harvest estimate by 5.3m to 95.8 million tons

Brazil's commodities bureau, Conab hiked by 5.3 million tons to 95.8 million tons its forecast for the country's soybean crop, reversing the negative trend in harvest forecasts, citing the benefit from rains in some southern areas. The previous estimate for the crop to be harvested early next year was 90.5m tons.
Friday, December 12th 2014 - 06:54 UTC
Record year for Falklands' fish catches

THIS year will be marked as one of the most successful years in the history of the Falkland Islands fishery with several record catches registered and the total catch of all species in Falkland waters this month reaching a record of 451,000 tonnes.
Friday, December 12th 2014 - 06:43 UTC
Switzerland charges former HSBC analyst with industrial espionage

Switzerland has charged a former computer analyst at HSBC's private bank in Geneva with industrial espionage and breaching the country's secrecy laws for passing confidential client data to foreign authorities.
Friday, December 12th 2014 - 06:37 UTC
Miss Bumbum Indianara wants to give respect to the contest by recovering her 'virginity'

A blonde Brazilian model who shot to fame after she won Miss Bumbum 2014 just as the Kim Kardashian pictures put big backsides back in fashion has had surgery to return her to being a virgin so she can once again enjoy her first time with “someone special”.
Friday, December 12th 2014 - 06:16 UTC
Financial aid from Brazilian government for scandal-hit Petrobras

Brazil's government is wrapping up a financing plan for Petrobras aimed at ensuring the scandal-hit state-controlled oil giant can obtain the funding it needs for its massive investment program.
Friday, December 12th 2014 - 06:03 UTC
Brazilian executives from leading companies formally charged for the Petrobras corruption scandal

Brazilian prosecutors formally charged executives from six of the country's largest engineering firms with forming a cartel to funnel kickbacks from state-run oil firm Petrobras to the ruling political party and its allies.
Friday, December 12th 2014 - 05:53 UTC
Argentine ambassador visits Francis and presents a copy of “Malvinas Matters”

Argentine ambassador in the UK Alicia Castro, and daughter Miranda were received on Thursday by Pope Francis in a private audience.
Friday, December 12th 2014 - 05:50 UTC
New US ambassador in Argentina sworn in at White House ceremony

Noah Mamet has sworn as new United States ambassador to Argentina during a ceremony held in the White House, together with US vice president Joseph Biden and Argentine ambassador to the US Cecilia Nahon.