Stories for August 21st 2019

Wednesday, August 21st 2019 - 09:59 UTC
Uruguay president announces a malignant growth in his right lung: it was detected on time, says personal doctor

Uruguay’s President Tabare Vazquez announced on Tuesday that doctors detected a likely malignant growth in his right lung during a routine checkup. Vazquez, a 79-year-old former oncologist, said he would likely be hospitalized for a day or two while he undergoes additional exams to reach a definitive diagnosis.
Wednesday, August 21st 2019 - 09:58 UTC
Argentine presidential candidate Fernandez favors the Mexico/Uruguay position in the Venezuela conflict

Argentine presidential candidate Alberto Fernandez said on Tuesday that if he wins the October election he would join Mexico and Uruguay in promoting dialogue with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Wednesday, August 21st 2019 - 09:56 UTC
Stabilizing the Peso, priority of the new Argentina finance minister; markets still unconvinced

Argentina's new finance minister made stabilizing the country's battered currency his top priority on Tuesday, while still pledging to meet commitments made to the International Monetary Fund, which is sending a team to Buenos Aires.
Wednesday, August 21st 2019 - 09:55 UTC
Daytime smoke blackout in Sao Paulo blamed on Amazon rainforest fires

Brazil's Amazon rainforest has seen a record number of fires this year, according to new data from the country's space research agency. The National Institute for Space Research (Inpe) said its satellite data showed an 83% increase on the same period in 2018.
Wednesday, August 21st 2019 - 09:52 UTC
Brazil tightens controls over money laundering and illicit financial activities

The Brazilian government on Tuesday issued a decree moving the Financial Activities Control Board (Coaf), which monitors nefarious financial activity such as money laundering, into a new Financial Intelligence Unit under central bank control.
Wednesday, August 21st 2019 - 09:50 UTC
Cristina Kirchner leads call to free ex Brazil president Lula da Silva

Presidential frontrunner Alberto Fernandez and running-mate Cristina Kirchner led calls by dozens of Argentine personalities on Tuesday to free Brazil's jailed leftist icon Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Human rights activists, lawmakers, trade unionists, artists and scientists signed a petition published in the left-leaning Pagina 12 daily.
Wednesday, August 21st 2019 - 09:50 UTC
Deforestation: Brazil Amazon states want to deal directly with Norway and Germany

Brazilian states containing the country’s Amazon rainforest said they want to negotiate directly with European nations who fund projects to curb deforestation after changes proposed by the federal government led Norway and Germany to suspend donations.
Wednesday, August 21st 2019 - 09:48 UTC
The word that begins with “R” that scares Donald Trump

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday insisted that recession - a potentially dangerous blow to his re-election next year - is not in the cards. But he indicated he's preparing just in case.
Wednesday, August 21st 2019 - 09:42 UTC
UK program to help boost trade facilitation and export programs

A new trade facilitation program will support Brazilian businesses to export, which will help boost trade with countries including the UK. The £20 million program will work with existing export promotion and trade facilitation programs across Brazil to help bring businesses of all sizes to international markets.
Wednesday, August 21st 2019 - 09:39 UTC
Chile ski stations appeal to snow cannons to fight the ravages of climate change

Once deep in powder, this time of year, Chile's ski stations are fighting the ravages of climate change and pollution that have brought less and less snow to the central Andes. Just a few decades ago, the Andes mountain range could be buried under 4 meters of snow, forcing the closure of access roads and requiring the use of tractors to get around.