Stories for November 18th 2015

Wednesday, November 18th 2015 - 13:06 UTC
Presidential debate 'widened the gap' for Macri; Scioli unable to transmit his true profile

Argentina's Sunday debate between the two presidential hopefuls has “widened the gap”, which means the mayor of Buenos Aires City, Mauricio Macri could win the runoff on 22 November by more than ten points over incumbent Daniel Scioli, according to political analyst Jorge Giacobbe.
Wednesday, November 18th 2015 - 09:18 UTC
L' Boreal cruise ship fire to North of the Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands Government can confirm that a private cruise vessel has issued a distress call following a fire on-board..
Wednesday, November 18th 2015 - 08:33 UTC
Rousseff aware of terrorism threat since Brazil is hosting the 2016 Olympics

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said even when the country is far from the targets of the Islamic State (IS) militant group, it is not completely safe, local media reported. Rousseff commented on the recent terrorist attacks in Paris while attending the G20 Summit held in Turkey, saying that it seems that terrorist groups are more concentrated in the United States and Europe at this time.
Wednesday, November 18th 2015 - 08:22 UTC
Petrobras splinter union refuses to end strike and calls members to abandon offshore vessels

Brazilian oil workers union local responsible for the bulk of the country's oil and gas output told its members on Tuesday to abandon Petrobras vessels operating in the Campos Basin, Brazil's most productive oil district.
Wednesday, November 18th 2015 - 08:05 UTC
Statoil follows Shell and drops search for oil in the US Arctic

Norway's Statoil has decided to quit its Alaskan exploration efforts in the Chukchi Sea, following a recent move by Shell to drop its search for oil in the US Arctic after a key drilling target came back dry.
Wednesday, November 18th 2015 - 07:53 UTC
Tierra del Fuego ozone alert with 'UV radiation reaching extreme risk or harm'

Tierra del Fuego in south Argentina has sent out a warning to residents in the province that the ozone layer hole as it expands to the north, over the tip of South America continent this week, it will be reaching its maximum size with UV radiation at 12, violet or extreme alert. The information was provided by Argentina's VAG Ushuaia Station.
Wednesday, November 18th 2015 - 07:36 UTC
Brazil ready to sign an EU/Mercosur wide ranging trade agreement

Paraguay's foreign minister Eladio Loizaga is in Brussels holding a round of talks with different European Union officials regarding the trade and cooperation agreement with Mercosur, while in Brazil Industry and foreign trade minister Armando Monteiro announced that Mercosur was finally ready to advance with a wide range proposal.
Wednesday, November 18th 2015 - 07:24 UTC
Setback for president Cartes: center-left coalition takes control of Paraguay's capital Asunción

Paraguay’s ruling conservative party lost the mayor’s office in the capital Asunción on Sunday in a surprise midterm setback for President Horacio Cartes. Popular TV presenter Mario Ferreiro defeated incumbent Arnaldo Samaniego of the president’s Colorado party, 50.99% to 40.56%, according to official results with all ballots counted.
Wednesday, November 18th 2015 - 07:14 UTC
France and Russia agree on an unusual alliance against the Islamic State

France and Russia agreed to coordinate their military and security services in an unusual alliance against Islamic State jihadists in Syria on Tuesday after a devastating attack on Paris and the bombing of a Russian plane.