Stories for April 2017

Wednesday, April 26th 2017 - 08:20 UTC
EU/Mercosur trade agreement “closer than ever”, says Spanish president Rajoy

The European Union and South American trade bloc Mercosur should intensify talks to reach a trade agreement this year, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said on Tuesday, urging haste after 18 years of negotiations.
Wednesday, April 26th 2017 - 08:10 UTC
Twelve million penguins in Antarctica, according to the 2017 SOAP report

April 25 is World Penguin Day, timed to coincide with the annual northward march to the sea of Antarctic penguins, as autumn edges toward winter in that part of the world. There are 12 million penguins in Antarctica, according to a new report – the inaugural State Of Antarctic Penguins 2017 (SOAP) report – also released on Tuesday.
Wednesday, April 26th 2017 - 07:45 UTC
On World Penguin Day scientists call for more protection of Antarctic wildlife

The world needs to do more to protect the Antarctic wilderness and its wildlife, scientists warned Tuesday, as they marked World Penguin Day. The flightless seabirds—a favorite with children for their clumsy, waddling gait—offer a useful yardstick for researchers to judge the health of their habitat
Tuesday, April 25th 2017 - 19:16 UTC
UN forecasts South American countries average economic expansion at 0.6%

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) updated growth projections for economic activity in the region in 2017 and forecasts a 1.1% average expansion for this year, the United Nations body stated on Monday in a press release. This projection is slightly below the 1.3% that was estimated in December 2016.
Tuesday, April 25th 2017 - 12:54 UTC
Obama is back in active politics: “the four issues which hinder good government”

United States former president Barack Obama has returned to active politics with a speech on Monday at the University of Chicago. Obama didn’t offer any criticism of his successor, Donald Trump, instead, he offered a list of four things he said are wrong with US politics today.
Tuesday, April 25th 2017 - 07:59 UTC
Markets' Macron rally on Monday: Wall Street, Europe, Asia

European stock market rally sparked by the French presidential election spread to Wall Street on Monday. All three main US share markets jumped more than 1%, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq index closing at a record high. Europe's main markets jumped at least 2% and the euro hit a five-month high as fears over the election eased.
Tuesday, April 25th 2017 - 07:54 UTC
Financial aid to Santa Cruz province, if a serious plan to put accounts in order is presented

Buenos Aires said on Tuesday it was prepared to help financially Santa Cruz province, but demanded a “serious program” to put in order the regional government´s accounts, which has seen its basic services of education, healthcare and justice paralyzed because of months in arrears to staff.
Tuesday, April 25th 2017 - 07:28 UTC
Renewed violence in Venezuela raises the death toll in three weeks to 24

Three people were killed in Venezuela on Monday in renewed violence, raising the death toll in three weeks of massive demonstrations against populist President Nicolas Maduro to 24, officials said. Several others were seriously injured and “between life and death,” said public defender Tarek William Saab.
Tuesday, April 25th 2017 - 07:19 UTC
Marine Le Pen steps down as party leader to reach out to voters of defeated candidates

Far-right French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has announced that she is stepping aside as leader of her National Front (FN) party. The move comes just a day after she reached the second round of the French election, where she will face centrist Emmanuel Macron. Ms Le Pen told French TV she needed to be above partisan considerations.
Tuesday, April 25th 2017 - 07:10 UTC
Paraguay and Brazil after a 60-member gang that robbed US$ 40 m and terrorized a city

Brazilian police near the border with Paraguay have exchanged gunfire with members of a gang who carried out what Paraguayan officials are calling the robbery of the century. So far three gang members were killed and two injured in the clash, police say. The number of robbers involved and display of weapons has led authorities to believe it is a one of Brazil largest criminal gangs.