Stories for May 29th 2018

Tuesday, May 29th 2018 - 09:14 UTC
Smog emergency in Santiago de Chile for the fifth day running

Santiago de Chile is under a smog emergency for the fifth day running because of the poor quality of air, as reported by the local authorities of the Chilean capital. For this reason 40% of vehicles without catalytic convertors, and with plate numbers ending in 0,1,2 or 3 are banned from circulating in the city. Likewise motorcycles manufactured before 2002 and with plate numbers ending in 0 and 1.
Tuesday, May 29th 2018 - 09:09 UTC
The Way Out of Argentina’s New Crisis

The late MIT economist Rüdiger Dornbusch used to tell his students in the 1980s that there are four kinds of countries: rich, poor, Japan, and Argentina. No one frets anymore about Japan buying its way to world domination. But the world is worrying again about Argentina.
Tuesday, May 29th 2018 - 09:04 UTC
Nicola Sturgeon in Brussels raised Scottish concerns over Brexit

Nicola Sturgeon has raised Scottish concerns over Brexit in a meeting with chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier. The first minister said they held a “constructive and positive discussion” during her trip to Brussels. She said she told Mr Barnier that the Scottish government believed the UK should remain within the customs union and single market after leaving the EU.
Tuesday, May 29th 2018 - 09:01 UTC
Impersonation of Mao Zedong sparks uproar on Chinese social media

A publicity stunt at a conference about blockchain technology in China, which saw an actor impersonate Mao Zedong, has sparked uproar on social media. Xu Guoxiang imitated Mao - by wearing a grey suit and speaking in his Hunan accent - at the Boao Blockchain Forum for Asia in Hainan Province.
Tuesday, May 29th 2018 - 08:51 UTC
Ireland's abortion vote adds to PM May woes and strains relations with Ulster coalition ally

Britain's leaders are facing increasing calls to take action to loosen abortion restrictions in Northern Ireland after the Republic of Ireland's landmark referendum in favor of doing so, but complex political realities may make quick action difficult.
Tuesday, May 29th 2018 - 08:48 UTC
Brazilian cocktail: Wall Street, oil prices, truckers strike and a weak government

A nationwide protest by Brazilian truckers was slow to unwind on Monday, even after the week-long demonstrations against diesel price hikes got the government to cave to their demands, causing stocks and the currency to slide.
Tuesday, May 29th 2018 - 08:47 UTC
Bolivia's president Evo Morales faces increasing students and opposition unrest

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of several cities across Bolivia on Monday to demand justice after a university student was killed during a demonstration last week. Some of the protesters clashed with police in the central city of Cochabamba. Authorities did not immediately report injuries or arrests.
Tuesday, May 29th 2018 - 08:18 UTC
Political storm in Spain: congress will subject PM Rajoy to a no confidence vote this week

Spanish lawmakers have agreed to subject Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to a vote of no confidence this week. It comes in the wake of graft convictions of businesspeople and officials tied to his conservative Popular Party (PP).
Tuesday, May 29th 2018 - 08:11 UTC
Italy's Mattarella appoints ex IMF interim prime minister and quells the situation... for now

Italy's president set the country on a path back to fresh elections on Monday, appointing a former International Monetary Fund official as interim prime minister with the task of planning for snap polls and to pass the next budget. The decision to appoint Carlo Cottarelli to form a stopgap administration sets the stage for elections that are likely to be fought over Italy's role in the European Union and the euro zone, a prospect that is rattling global financial markets.
Tuesday, May 29th 2018 - 08:09 UTC
Falklands: Argentine cabinet chief will honor fallen British combatants, at St. Paul's cathedral

Argentine cabinet chief Marcos Peña will be honoring the British combatants fallen during the South Atlantic conflict when he travels to the UK. The ceremony is scheduled for next 4 June at St Paul's cathedral in London