Stories for August 2016

Friday, August 19th 2016 - 13:08 UTC
UK health officials call on university students to vaccinate against Meningitis

Health officials in the United Kingdom have reported a progressive increase in cases of the deadly bacterium, Meningitis W (MenW), prompting calls for university students to get vaccinated. Cases of MenW have been increasing year-on-year, from 22 cases in 2009 to over 200 cases in the past 12 months, according to Public Health England.
Friday, August 19th 2016 - 12:59 UTC
Argentina's Supreme Court rules gas rate increases must be rolled back

Argentina's Supreme Court on Thursday blocked President Mauricio Macri's move to slash natural gas subsidies, a much-hated policy that has sent customers' bills soaring. The ruling is the hardest blow yet to the business-friendly president's move to eliminate electricity, gas and water subsidies which he says are bloating the deficit and sapping the struggling economy.
Friday, August 19th 2016 - 10:50 UTC
European Olympic Committee head Hickey arrested in Rio for alleged sale of tickets

Police in Brazil investigating illegal Olympic ticket sales have arrested the head of the European Olympic Committees, Irishman Patrick Hickey, 71, who is suspected of being involved in a scheme to sell tickets for higher than their face value. He was taken to hospital as a precaution, and will probably stay the night there, police said.
Friday, August 19th 2016 - 10:39 UTC
Trump overhauls campaign team to try and reverse poor opinion polls

US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump overhauled his presidential campaign team for the second time in less than two months, hiring the head of a conservative news website to bolster his combative image and try to reverse poor opinion poll numbers. Trump named Steve Bannon, head of the Breitbart News website, as campaign chief executive officer, a new position.
Friday, August 19th 2016 - 10:25 UTC
US Olympic swimmers fabricated robbery story to cover up a night of heavy drinking in Rio

The two U.S. swimmers who were abruptly taken off a plane and detained in Rio on Wednesday night have been allowed to leave the country and are headed for the United States.
Friday, August 19th 2016 - 10:11 UTC
Argentina points to Uruguay for causing a “vacuum” in Mercosur and the current situation

Argentina considers that Uruguay created a “vacuum” in Mercosur when it unilaterally adopted the decision to devolve the block's presidency, and creating an unprecedented situation. Since then Mercosur has been involved in a serious controversy over the transfer of the presidency to Venezuela, which has strongly discredited the South American block.
Thursday, August 18th 2016 - 06:54 UTC
Fire forces full passenger evacuation of Caribbean Fantasy off Puerto Rico

A fire forced more than 500 people to be evacuated from a cruise ship about a mile off Puerto Rico's northern coast on Wednesday. The U.S. Coast Guard brought passengers to the shore as the fire continued to burn aboard the Caribbean Fantasy, a combination cruise and ferry ship. Other agencies also joined the rescue effort until fire forced them to abandon the ship.
Thursday, August 18th 2016 - 06:13 UTC
Uruguay back steps on its claims regarding Brazil and the Mercosur presidency controversy

Uruguay back stepped on its statements referred to Brazil's “bullying with the Mercosur presidency” and admits there was a misunderstanding regarding Brazil's invitation for a joint trade promotion in third countries, according to an official clarification Wednesday release from the Uruguayan foreign ministry.
Thursday, August 18th 2016 - 06:04 UTC
Macri after full integration of Mercosur with the Pacific Alliance

Latin America needs greater economic integration and a merger of Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance should be the objective, according to Argentine president Mauricio Macri, who insists in loosening trade restrictions in his country and the region.
Thursday, August 18th 2016 - 05:57 UTC
US and Argentina cooperation in South Atlantic climate conditions and fisheries

An international forum on ocean and sea sciences between Argentine and United States scientists is scheduled for next week in Mar del Plata. The 23/27 August event is in the framework of the closer ties in research and innovation between Argentina and its new partner, United States.