Stories for December 2017

Friday, December 15th 2017 - 07:51 UTC
Violent protests in Buenos Aires as Congress attempted to discuss a pensions reform plan

A trade union-organized march in Buenos Aires descended into violence Thursday, with thousands of protesters clashing with police as they demanded lawmakers reject a controversial pension reform plan. Riot police used water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets against demonstrators, who threw stones and burned barricades made of rubbish outside the doors of Argentina's congress.
Friday, December 15th 2017 - 07:35 UTC
Venezuelan opposition receives European Union prize for human rights

Venezuela’s opposition received a European Union prize for human rights and urged the world to keep a close eye on an upcoming presidential election where it aspires to end two decades of socialist rule in the OPEC nation. Foes of President Nicolas Maduro failed to dislodge him during months of street protests this year that turned violent killing more than 125 people, and have been dismayed to see him consolidate his power in recent months.
Friday, December 15th 2017 - 07:01 UTC
Argentina prepares to fight Zica with sterile mosquitoes by radiation

After its success in controlling a devastating fruit fly with nuclear technology, Argentina is gearing up to fight a new enemy: mosquitoes that transmit Zika, in addition to dengue and chikungunya. The method applied in both cases is the sterile insect technique, SIT, an insect birth control method that uses irradiation to sterilize and release insects to suppress pest populations.
Friday, December 15th 2017 - 01:55 UTC
Brazil will join the UN peace force in Central Africa Republic with 750 troops

Brazil will join the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, Minusca, the United Nations has announced. This is an important decision since Brasilia looks to maintain a high profile in UN peace operations and show its increased interest in Africa.
Friday, December 15th 2017 - 01:40 UTC
Brazilian police raids offices and homes of two members of Congress

Brazilian police raided the offices and homes of two members of Congress on Wednesday in the country’s latest corruption probe as the government makes a last-ditch effort to vote on an overhaul of the national pension system.
Thursday, December 14th 2017 - 17:39 UTC
EU warns UK there is no “backtracking” on the divorce deal reached by PM May in Brussels

Britain and the EU face a “furious race against time” to agree a transition deal and future trade relations within the next 10 months, European Council president Donald Tusk has said. In a letter to the leaders of the 27 remaining EU states ahead of a crucial summit on December 14-15, Mr Tusk urged them to show continued “unity” as Brexit negotiations enter their second phase.
Thursday, December 14th 2017 - 13:54 UTC
Federal Reserve increases interest rate by a quarter of a point

The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point - the third rate hike this year. It comes as Fed chair Janet Yellen prepares to leave the role
after Donald Trump decided to replace her.
Thursday, December 14th 2017 - 11:45 UTC
UK government defeated in Brexit key vote; ministers call it a “minor setback”

The British government has been narrowly defeated in a key vote on its Brexit bill after a rebellion by 11 Tory MPs. In a blow to Prime Minister Theresa May, MPs voted to give Parliament a legal guarantee of a vote on the final Brexit deal struck with Brussels.
Thursday, December 14th 2017 - 10:58 UTC
Up to 650 000 people die of respiratory diseases linked to seasonal flu each year

Up to 650 000 deaths annually are associated with respiratory diseases from seasonal influenza, according to new estimates by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US-CDC), the World Health Organization and global health partners.
Thursday, December 14th 2017 - 07:16 UTC
ARA San Juan: Russia's Yantar expected to return to surveying next week

The Russian Navy’s ocean survey vessel Yantar had to leave the search area for Argentina’s San Juan submarine, but is expected to return on December 19, Argentine Navy spokesman Enrique Balbi said on Wednesday.