Stories for December 2017

Wednesday, December 27th 2017 - 08:05 UTC
Argentine demanding US$ 1.2bn compensation from Cristina Fernandez and cronies

The Argentine government is demanding compensations of over 1.2 billion US dollars from ex president Cristina Fernandez, several of her ministers and staff, as well as businessmen benefitted by the Kirchner administrations, for damages caused by acts of corruption.
Wednesday, December 27th 2017 - 07:22 UTC
Canada insists in criticizing the Maduro regime despite diplomats expulsion incident

Canada has announced it is expelling Venezuela's ambassador to Ottawa, Wilmer Barrientos Fernández, and its charge d'affaires, Ángel Herrera. Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said the move was in retaliation for the expulsion of its most senior diplomat from Caracas over the weekend.
Tuesday, December 26th 2017 - 10:41 UTC
Cuba preparing for transition to new generation: Díaz-Canel should replace Raul Castro in April

The Cuban parliament enacted a proposal that extends Raúl Castro’s term from the original February 24 deadline. The Council of the State underscored that the extension was based on the “exceptional situation” Cuba finds itself in due to costly damages Hurricane Irma inflicted on the island last September.
Tuesday, December 26th 2017 - 09:43 UTC
Maiden flight for world's largest amphibious aircraft, China's AG600

The world’s largest amphibious aircraft, the Chinese-made AG600, carried out its maiden flight on Sunday morning in Zhuhai, a coastal city in Guangdong province. An AG600, piloted by four crew members, took off from the Zhuhai Jinwan Airport at 9:50 am and remained airborne for about an hour before returning.
Tuesday, December 26th 2017 - 09:37 UTC
UNICEF has new Executive Director, Henrietta H. Fore

UNICEF welcomed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ announcement that Henrietta H. Fore will succeed Anthony Lake as UNICEF Executive Director when his term ends on 31 December 2017.
Tuesday, December 26th 2017 - 09:23 UTC
Antipodean Albatross in breeding crisis; Falklands' Black-browed surveys show numbers are increasing

Antipodean Albatrosses court for years, mate for life and work together to raise their young – but human activity is causing a sex ratio imbalance that is destroying their lifelong romance. This year, they have been uplisted to Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to worrying population declines.
Monday, December 25th 2017 - 18:14 UTC
Ex president Fujimori granted a medical pardon; he was serving 25-year sentence

The Peruvian president announced on Sunday night that he granted a medical pardon to jailed former strongman Alberto Fujimori, who was serving a 25-year sentence for human rights abuses, corruption and the sanctioning of death squads. President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski released a statement on Christmas Eve saying he decided to free Fujimori for “humanitarian reasons,” citing doctors who had determined the ex-leader suffers from incurable and degenerative problems.
Sunday, December 24th 2017 - 17:21 UTC
EU bureaucracy ready to sign deal with Mercosur, but France and Ireland object

The European Union now hopes to conclude a trade deal with the Mercosur bloc by February next year. EU agriculture chief Phil Hogan admitted that there were still 15 “open issues”, following a “difficult” meeting with the Mercosur countries in Buenos Aires last week.
Sunday, December 24th 2017 - 17:18 UTC
Pope coming visit to Chile and Peru; no reference to the sea outlet conflict with Bolivia

During his visit to Chile and Peru, Pope Francis will honor the country’s religious roots and underline the plight of indigenous men and women. The Vatican said the pope will be in Chile Jan. 15-18, visiting the cities of Santiago, Temuco and Iquique. He then will fly to Peru and, from Jan. 18-21, he will visit Lima, Puerto Maldonado and Trujillo.
Sunday, December 24th 2017 - 11:46 UTC
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year !!!

MercoPress wishes.a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to Everybody !