Stories for October 8th 2018

Monday, October 8th 2018 - 17:23 UTC
Mar del Plata route becomes new lead in search for ARA San Juan

Efforts to retrieve the missing Argentine Navy submarine ARA San Juan changed course Sunday and now everything is “Area 6” for the operation, as the ship Seabed Constructor deployed its robots throughout it, the last one to be added to the search.
Monday, October 8th 2018 - 16:36 UTC
UNHCR calls “monumental crisis” the migration of Venezuelans

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, made a visit to the Colombian-Venezuelan border to understand the dimensions of the exodus of Venezuelans that, according to the UN statistics, 1.9 million have left Venezuela since 2015 due the Venezuela's economic and social situation.
Monday, October 8th 2018 - 13:20 UTC
Press freedom in danger as British journalist expelled from Hong Kong

The expulsion of British journalist Victor Mallet from Hong Kong is regarded worldwide as “a chilling message about the steady erosion of basic rights in the semi autonomous Chinese city,” according to the Financial Times.
Monday, October 8th 2018 - 13:03 UTC
Evo opens strategic plant in lithium industry process

Bolivian President Evo Morales Sunday opened a potassium chloride industrial plant in Uyuni, department of Potosí, which is expected to have a yearly output of 350 thousand tons and is a part of the country's strategy for the industrialization of lithium.
Monday, October 8th 2018 - 12:56 UTC
Astori surprised by Fitch ratings, confident Uruguay will bounce back

Uruguay's Economy Minister Danilo Astori Sunday said he was surprised at last week's decision by the Fitch agency to maintain Uruguay's investment grade as it lowered the outlook down to BBB- and pointed out that this report “contrasts openly with those of other risk rating agencies and with the market itself.”
Monday, October 8th 2018 - 08:39 UTC
Canada chairs meeting to reform WTO, but has not invited US or China

Canada has not invited the United States or China to a high-level meeting on reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO). The country will host a “small group of like-minded” trade ministers in Ottawa in late October to discuss the global trade body. Officials say countries like the US and China will be included at a later date in the reforms discussion process.
Monday, October 8th 2018 - 08:30 UTC
Quake rattles impoverished Haiti, at least 14 dead and extensive damage

A magnitude 5.2 aftershock struck Haiti on Sunday, even as survivors of the previous day’s temblor were sifting through the rubble of their cinder block homes. The death toll stood at 12, with fears it could rise. The U.S. Geological Survey said the epicenter of the aftershock was located 15.8 kilometers north-northwest of Port-de-Paix, the city hard hit by Saturday night’s 5.9 magnitude earthquake. Sunday’s aftershock had a depth of 10 kilometers.
Monday, October 8th 2018 - 08:17 UTC
Double purpose rocket launch: Argentine satellite for farmers and recovering first stage

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying an Argentine satellite has blasted off from California. The primary purpose of Sunday's mission is to place the SAOCOM 1A satellite into orbit, but SpaceX will also try for the first time to bring the Falcon's first stage back to a landing at the Vandenberg Air Force Base launch site.
Monday, October 8th 2018 - 08:17 UTC
China admits to be investigating head of Interpol on “suspected law violations”

China on Sunday said it was investigating Interpol's President Meng Hongwei, who went missing in September, over “suspected law violations”. The international police agency then announced it had received Meng's resignation.
Monday, October 8th 2018 - 07:12 UTC
SNP would back a new Brexit referendum, says party leader Nicola Sturgeon

Scottish National Party members of parliament would back a new Brexit referendum if it were put to them, party leader Nicola Sturgeon has said. Campaigners have been pressing for a fresh vote on whatever exit plans result from talks with EU leaders. Ms Sturgeon said SNP MPs would oppose anything short of staying in the single market and customs union.