Stories for 2017

Friday, March 17th 2017 - 07:38 UTC
Macri administration faces unions' first general strike scheduled for April 6

Argentina's largest union announced a one-day general strike on April 6, increasing pressure on President Mauricio Macri's conservative government six months before mid-term congressional elections. The CGT says Macri's policies, including austerity measures like reducing subsidies on fuel and electricity, are resulting in lower real salaries and lost jobs.
Friday, March 17th 2017 - 07:26 UTC
Brazil awards European groups 30 year concession of four airports

Brazil awarded three European groups on Thursday the rights to operate four airports, drawing nearly double the minimum bids at an auction that underscored investors' appetite for a new wave of privatizations under President Michel Temer. German airport operator Fraport AG, French group Vinci SA and Zurich Airport bid a combined 1.46 billion reais (US$470 million) for the rights to run airports in Porto Alegre, Salvador, Fortaleza and Florianopolis.
Friday, March 17th 2017 - 07:15 UTC
Bank of England cautiously leaves interest rates at the record low of 0.25%

The Bank of England (BOE) held interest rates at the record low level of 0.25% and maintained asset purchases at £435 billion on Thursday. The decision, which was made by an 8-1 majority, had been almost unanimously anticipated by central bank watchers with many expecting the BOE to choose caution until more clarity emerges on the Brexit process and the U.K. economy's capacity to manage outside of the European Union.
Friday, March 17th 2017 - 06:59 UTC
Falklands' deminer recovering from injuries during a clearance operation accident

Deminer Rodgers Mandava working to clear minefields in the Falkland Islands, was injured during an accident in a Moody Valley clearance operation on February 27, has recovered well from his injuries and work has resumed in the area, according to a report published by the Penguin News.
Friday, March 17th 2017 - 06:51 UTC
Brazil reports 424 cases of yellow fever, 127 dead and 900 under investigation

Brazil’s Health Ministry says 424 people have been infected with yellow fever in the largest outbreak the country has seen in years. Of those, 137 have died. An update published Thursday said that more than 900 other cases are under investigation.
Friday, March 17th 2017 - 06:39 UTC
Torrential rains and mudslides ravage Peru: thousands left homeless

Muddy water spilled onto streets and into homes on Thursday in a new round of unusually heavy rains that has killed at least a eighteen people in Peru and now threatens flooding in the capital Lima. The intense rains and mudslides over the past three days have wrought havoc around the Andean nation and caught residents in Lima, a desert city of 10 million where it almost never rains, by surprise.
Friday, March 17th 2017 - 06:27 UTC
UK government rejects Scottish independence referendum: “now is not the time”

The UK government is to reject calls for a Scottish independence referendum before Brexit after Theresa May said “now is not the time”. The prime minister said the focus should be on getting the best Brexit deal for the whole of the UK.
Thursday, March 16th 2017 - 12:26 UTC
Falklands' television service to be fully restored this month; new transmitter on Sapper Hill

Falklands' television viewers in Stanley will be able by the end of the month, weather permitting, to again have a full service of its former level of transmission. A release from the Falklands government recalls that viewers are well aware of the problems encountered over the last nine month, caused by the TV transmitter falling from the mast on Sapper Hill.
Thursday, March 16th 2017 - 12:16 UTC
Falklands announces new demolitions on Friday, as part of the demining project

Falklands Islands demining project is advancing steadily and demolitions are planned for next Friday in the Moody Valley, west of Stanley. The demolitions are part of the several phases, several years, project to clear the Falklands of the mines planted by the Argentine military during the occupation of the Islands in 1982.
Thursday, March 16th 2017 - 12:12 UTC
Temer coalition determined to pass major pension reform despite street protests

Brazil's president Michel Temer and senior lawmakers were unwavering in their support for a major pension reform on Wednesday despite nationwide protests against the proposal and the dramatic expansion of a graft probe threatening the ruling coalition.