Stories for January 2017

Thursday, January 5th 2017 - 07:50 UTC
Beijing's “airpocalypse” red alert for smog and yellow alert for fog

On Wednesday, Beijing was under a “red alert” for smog, the highest of four levels, and a “yellow alert” for fog. Other areas, particularly in northern China were still under red alert as of Wednesday for both fog and smog. The high pollution has been going on for a number of weeks, causing flight delays, and leading to traffic bans, as part of what is called “smog season” or “airpocalypse.”
Thursday, January 5th 2017 - 07:38 UTC
London-Santiago direct flights inaugurated on Wednesday

The new direct flight London-Santiago de Chile inaugurated on Wednesday should help increase the number of visitors from Britain and Europe, said Chilean authorities when they received the British Airways flight at the Chilean capital airport.
Wednesday, January 4th 2017 - 11:38 UTC
Venezuelan military fully involved in food staples illegal marketing and hoarding

The Venezuelan military is selling food staples at up to 100 times the government-mandated costs in illegal marketplaces, according to an independent media investigation. The black markets are carried out at all levels of the military from foot soldiers on up to generals.
Wednesday, January 4th 2017 - 11:17 UTC
Valparaiso hillsides' fire “under control”, but heat and strong winds are still threatening

A large fire that burned 150 homes in the historic port city of Valparaiso, Chile, has been “practically” brought under control, an official said Tuesday. Monday's fire forced dozens of residents to take refuge in shelters and devoured green hillsides in the Laguna Verde neighborhood, on the southern outskirts of the colonial city.
Wednesday, January 4th 2017 - 11:12 UTC
Good weather prospects for Brazil's anticipated record soybean crop

Rain showers forecast for this week should benefit soybean crops across Brazil and should not be heavy enough to hamper harvesting of the first shipments of the 2016-17 season, meteorologists said on Tuesday.
Wednesday, January 4th 2017 - 11:04 UTC
Labour too weak to win UK election, says Fabian Society; could drop to its lowest number of seats since 1935

Labour is “too weak” to win a British general election alone and should consider working with rival parties, a left-of-centre think tank has said in a report. Andrew Harrop, the Fabian Society's general secretary, said there had been a “huge meltdown” of support in Scotland and cited party leader Jeremy Corbyn's unpopularity and a “muffled” approach to Brexit, as determining factors.
Wednesday, January 4th 2017 - 10:08 UTC
Trump reminds Republicans in Congress who's the boss and the agenda priority

United Stated House Republicans were forced to back down on Tuesday on plans to throw out a congressional ethics office as Donald Trump rebuked them over the move, in an embarrassing clash with the president-elect on the day the new Congress was sworn in.
Wednesday, January 4th 2017 - 09:59 UTC
Summer storm strikes Montevideo and coast line causing chaos and 19 injured

At least 19 people injured one of them seriously, was the result of the summer storm with winds of up to 120km that struck the Uruguayan capital Montevideo, and the eastern coast line to almost the border with Brazil, some 350kms away. The report from the national Healthcare system, SAME, said that most patients are from Montevideo and three from the adjoining seaside resorts.
Wednesday, January 4th 2017 - 09:13 UTC
UK ambassador to EU steps down criticizing preparations for Brexit negotiations

UK's ambassador to the European Union urged British colleagues in Brussels to challenge “muddled thinking and... speak truth to power” as he quit ahead of Brexit talks, according to the BBC. Writing to staff, Sir Ivan Rogers said ministers needed to hear “unvarnished” and “uncomfortable” views from Europe.
Wednesday, January 4th 2017 - 09:02 UTC
UK implements another phase of landing obligation to boost sustainable fishing

UK Fisheries Minister George Eustice announced more actions to boost sustainable fishing, with the entry into force of the next phase of the discard ban for demersal species. This landing obligation requires fishermen to unload everything they catch, and will help to put an end to the wasteful practice of throwing dead fish back overboard.