Stories for September 2017

Saturday, September 16th 2017 - 07:53 UTC
Preservation of the Ozone Layer: 30th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol

The United Nations’ International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is celebrated on the 16th September every year. Commemorating the 1987 signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the day advocates activities that create awareness on topics related to climate change and ozone depletion.
Saturday, September 16th 2017 - 07:39 UTC
UK at highest alert following the bomb in the Tube which caused 29 injured

The United Kingdom terror threat has been increased to its highest level as police continue the hunt for the person behind the Friday underground bombing in south-west London. The prime minister said the threat was now critical, meaning an attack is expected imminently, after a device was detonated at Parsons Green station.
Saturday, September 16th 2017 - 07:25 UTC
Theresa May scolds president Trump on London terror attack tweets

British Prime Minister Theresa May has rebuked US President Donald Trump for suggesting suspects in Friday's London train blast were known to police. “I never think it's helpful for anybody to speculate on what is an ongoing investigation,” she said.
Friday, September 15th 2017 - 07:38 UTC
Venezuela plans to abandon the dollar; greenback currently sells for 22.400 Bolivar

Venezuela temporarily suspended the sale of U.S. dollars through its Dicom auction system, following an announcement last week that it was moving away from the greenback in response to U.S. sanctions. The United States in August prohibited dealings in new debt from Venezuela and state oil company PDVSA in response to the creation of a new legislative super-body that critics call the consolidation of a dictatorship.
Friday, September 15th 2017 - 07:32 UTC
Chilean company will build new cellulose plant in the south of the country

Chilean forestry company Arauco, a subsidiary of industrial conglomerate Empresas Copec SA, will invest US$185 million to build a new cellulose and textile pulp plant in the nation’s south, the company said on Thursday.
Friday, September 15th 2017 - 07:23 UTC
Falklands: Substantial progress with seal mitigation in Calamari fishery

By Senior Fisheries Scientist Dr Alexander Arkhipkin - The Department of Natural Resources (Fisheries) has reported that seal mortalities were brought to negligible levels thanks to recent mitigation measures. Since the end of August, all Loligo trawlers were required to have seal exclusion devices (SEDs) in their trawls.
Friday, September 15th 2017 - 07:12 UTC
Brazil's Temer charged with obstruction of justice and racketeering

Brazilian President Michel Temer was charged with obstruction of justice and racketeering on Thursday, according to a statement posted on the prosecutor general's office website, threatening to delay the government's economic reform agenda in Congress.
Friday, September 15th 2017 - 07:00 UTC
Falklands' Governor Phillips: “You decide how you wish to be governed, now and in the future”

The new Governor of the Falkland Islands emphasized that he was in the Islands to work with, “the democratically elected representatives of the people”, and it was, “entirely proper that you (Falkland Islanders) decide how you wish to be governed, now and in the future.”
Thursday, September 14th 2017 - 20:49 UTC
Brazilian congress advances political reform to streamline parties; 28 have elected members

Brazil's lower house of Congress has given initial approval to a bill to reduce the huge array of political parties that have made it hard to govern the country and contributed to corruption. The chamber voted 384-16 for the establishment of a minimum national vote threshold that parties must reach to get public funding and free radio and television time for their election campaigns. The requirement would be 1.5% of votes in 2018, rising to 3% in 2030.
Thursday, September 14th 2017 - 19:17 UTC
Brazilian agriculture minister home raided by police on corruption probe

Brazil's Police raided the home of a top government official Thursday seeking evidence in yet another corruption case involving a member of embattled President Michel Temer's Cabinet. The operation was authorized by Brazil's top court and is part of an investigation of Agriculture Minister Blairo Maggi, who is suspected of bribing state lawmakers during his 2003-2010 terms as governor of Mato Grosso.