Stories for December 30th 2015

Wednesday, December 30th 2015 - 14:10 UTC
Two ex ministers with prison sentences for Buenos Aires train accident that killed 51 and injured 789

An Argentine court handed down prison sentences of up to nine years for those charged in the February 2012 train accident in Buenos Aires that killed 51 people and injured more than 700.
Wednesday, December 30th 2015 - 03:22 UTC
Major Spanish company in frozen fish industry, Iberconsa, sold to Portobello Capital

The Spanish manager of equity Portobello Capital has bought a majority stake in Iberconsa (Iberica de Congelados), the third company in the sector in Spain and the first one to capture and produce frozen hake on board.
Wednesday, December 30th 2015 - 02:47 UTC
US bans imports of lion trophies; the majestic cats protected by USFWS Endangered Species Act

In a move that is likely to put a major dent in South Africa’s canned hunting industry for lions — a practice involving the shooting of these majestic predators in fenced enclosures in a pay-to-slay arrangement— the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced that it will institute important new measures to protect lions under the Endangered Species Act.
Wednesday, December 30th 2015 - 02:24 UTC
Russian polar vessel and helicopters will supply Argentine Antarctica bases

For the eighth season, Argentina's Antarctic bases and stations are to be supplied by the Russian polar vessel Vasily Golovnin from Arkadia Ltd. This has been going on since 2007 when the Argentine flagship ice-breaker Almirante Irizar caught fire in the high seas and is still in repairs waiting for the necessary funds.
Wednesday, December 30th 2015 - 02:22 UTC
Busy weekend for Ushuaia: 8.000 cruise visitors

Over 8.000 cruise visitors arrived in Ushuaia over the weekend when the Star Princess (2.600 pax), Norwegian Sun (2.400 pax), Infinity (2.400 pax) and the Seabourn Quest coincided in the extreme south port of Argentina in the peak of the Southern hemisphere season.
Wednesday, December 30th 2015 - 01:01 UTC
Reclaiming South Georgia from rats: a world leading project

Reclaiming South Georgia is the story of the SGHT Habitat Restoration Project fieldwork that took place on South Georgia in three phases (in 2011, 2013 and 2015). The latest edition of South Georgia Newsletter says that text and photographs tell the story of how this world-leading project baited every square inch of rodent-infested land on the island.
Wednesday, December 30th 2015 - 00:51 UTC
Dismal prospects for Brazilian economy in 2016, according to Central bank and budget deficit

Analysts expect Brazil's economy to contract by 2.81% in 2016 after contracting by 3.70% this year, marking the biggest drop in economic output in 25 years, the Central Bank said on Monday. Economists are forecasting an inflation rate of 10.72% this year, the highest rate in 13 years, and 6.86% in 2016. The estimates seem to be supported by the latest numbers referred to the budget deficit.
Wednesday, December 30th 2015 - 00:46 UTC
Petrobras corruption 'net' involves Norwegian companies, claim Oslo media

The huge corruption case swirling around Brazilian oil company Petrobras is being called the world’s largest, and increasing numbers of Norwegian companies seem to be getting tangled up in it. Norwegian bosses mostly claim no knowledge of any bribes being paid, but investigations are underway on several fronts.