Stories for February 21st 2018

Wednesday, February 21st 2018 - 10:15 UTC
Falklands' second scheduled flight proposal presented to Paraguay foreign ministry

The United Kingdom and Argentina presented on Monday to the Paraguayan foreign ministry a joint letter requesting assistance in contacting airlines in the country that could be interested in establishing a new scheduled air service to and from the Falkland Islands.
Wednesday, February 21st 2018 - 09:27 UTC
“What a shot”, the folklore side of rampant violence in Rio do Janeiro favelas

A viral music video called “What a shot” is stirring debate in Brazil about the glamorization of crime and freedom of expression, as surging crime in Rio de Janeiro has led the government to put troops in charge of security in the tourist city. The hit by Jordana Gleise de Jesus Menezes - known as JoJo Todynho - has spawned myriad parody videos on YouTube since it was released in December.
Wednesday, February 21st 2018 - 09:19 UTC
Brexit strategy suggestion to Theresa May from 62 Conservative MPs

More than 60 Conservative MPs have signed a letter to Theresa May making a series of “suggestions” about the government's Brexit strategy. The letter from the European Research Group says the UK should be free to negotiate and sign trade deals with other countries as soon as it leaves.
Wednesday, February 21st 2018 - 09:09 UTC
Oceans' plastic pollution is illegal but, how to implement international treaties and conventions?

The pollution of oceans with plastic litter, discarded nylon fishing nets and eco-toxic micro-beads is well known as one of the great scourges of the modern age ― not just entangling and choking endangered, charismatic species like sea turtles, dolphins and even great whales, but attracting long-lived organic pollutants that end up permeating the entire marine food chain, right up to the fish on our plates.
Wednesday, February 21st 2018 - 09:02 UTC
Second corn-based ethanol plant in Matto Grosso: 680m liters per year

FS Bioenergia, a joint venture between Brazilian and U.S.-based investors, said on Tuesday it will build its second corn-based ethanol plant in Brazil’s top grains-producing state of Mato Grosso. FS Bioenergia, the first venture to build a 100 percent corn-based ethanol plant in Brazil - where basically all ethanol is made from sugar cane - said it will spend 1 billion reais (US$ 308 million) on the project.
Wednesday, February 21st 2018 - 08:53 UTC
Illinois farm industry concerned with main competitors Argentina and Brazilian growth

A market study tour in January to Argentina and Brazil by the US state of Illinois Farm Bureau helped farm bureau leaders and Illinois farmers learn more about their chief competitors. Tamara Nelsen, senior director of commodities at the Illinois Farm Bureau, said the original plan to go to Canada and Mexico was scrapped due to anti-trade rhetoric, which led experts to point them to South America.
Wednesday, February 21st 2018 - 08:48 UTC
Brazil forecasts record 2027/28 soybean crop of 115.6 million tons

Brazil's 2017/18 soybean crop is expected to reach 115.6 million tons, a record volume, 1.2% above the previous record last year of 114.2 million tons, according to an updated forecast from consultancy Safras & Mercado.
Wednesday, February 21st 2018 - 07:19 UTC
Switzerland interested in a trade deal with Mercosur despite its own farmers

Swiss Economic Affairs Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann wants to speed up a free trade agreement between Switzerland and Mercosur, but there is concern in the agricultural sector, according to the country's media.
Wednesday, February 21st 2018 - 07:04 UTC
Malvinas fallen relatives will be flying to Falklands at the end of March, says Argentine media

The next of kin of 103 Argentine combatants fallen during the 1982 Falklands conflict will be travelling to the Islands next 26 March with the purpose of honoring the 88 unknown conscripts, buried at the Darwin cemetery, that were finally identified in a joint effort from the Argentine and British governments, the International Red Cross and consent from Falklands elected authorities.
Wednesday, February 21st 2018 - 01:26 UTC
Petro, the Venezuelan cryptocurrency is online

The pre-sale of Petro began early on Tuesday, the cryptocurrency proposed by the Venezuelan government in recent weeks and backed by the country's natural resources. According to experts, it is “ridiculous”, arguing that the creation of a new currency would aggravate the economic crisis in the Caribbean country.