Stories for October 24th 2019

Thursday, October 24th 2019 - 18:40 UTC
Is Google's Sycamore machine a breakthrough to ”quantum supremacy”?

Scientists claimed on Wednesday to have achieved a near-mythical state of computing in which a new generation of machines vastly outperforms the world's fastest super-computer, known as “quantum supremacy”.
Thursday, October 24th 2019 - 11:57 UTC
Bolivian president calls to defend democracy; opposition urges “permanent mobilization in the streets”

Bolivia's opposition launched a general strike on Wednesday amid protests and disturbances over disputed election results that pointed to another term for President Evo Morales, who likened the unrest to a right-wing coup.
Thursday, October 24th 2019 - 09:59 UTC
Bolsonaro warns next Argentine government: Mercosur must continue with Macri's trade policies

A possible victory of opposition candidate Alberto Fernández in Argentina's presidential election on Sunday could put the Mercosur trade bloc at risk, Brazil's right-wing president, Jair Bolsonaro, said on Wednesday.
Thursday, October 24th 2019 - 09:55 UTC
Argentine markets concerned about what happens on Monday 28 October

Argentine markets are set for another bout of nerves after the country holds a presidential election on Sunday, likely to confirm defeat for business-friendly President Mauricio Macri.
Thursday, October 24th 2019 - 09:54 UTC
General strike and unrest continues in Chile despite Piñera's “I'm sorry” and announcements

Thousands of Chileans flooded the streets of Santiago and other cities in a general strike on Wednesday, upping the pressure on beleaguered President Sebastian Piñera after days of social unrest that left at least 18 dead.
Thursday, October 24th 2019 - 09:50 UTC
Venezuela exodus on track to reach 5 million, says UN; 5.000 leave every day

The exodus of Venezuelans is on track to reach 5 million people, as pressure grows on neighboring countries to provide them with long-term support, United Nations and European Union officials said on Wednesday.
Thursday, October 24th 2019 - 09:45 UTC
Brazil Justices debating law that could free scores of convicts including Lula da Silva

Supreme Court judges in Brazil began voting Wednesday on whether to overturn a law requiring convicted criminals to go to jail after losing their first appeal, instead of waiting until the end of the legal process. A favorable ruling could result in the freeing of scores of convicts, including leftist former president Lula da Silva, who is serving eight years and 10 months for corruption.
Thursday, October 24th 2019 - 09:28 UTC
A majority of Argentine public is dissatisfied with the state of their democracy, Pew Research

Argentines are headed to the polls for their general election on Sunday Oct. 27. They will cast their votes against a backdrop of wide discontent with the way things are going in the country and little faith in their elected officials and public institutions, according to a Pew Research Center survey.
Thursday, October 24th 2019 - 09:21 UTC
Mexico, an example of the financial plight of the Latin American media

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took office in December promising to reduce public spending to free up more resources for the poor. But his austerity drive has left media outlets reeling, and raised questions about whether Lopez Obrador is trying to influence coverage.
Thursday, October 24th 2019 - 09:20 UTC
Petrobras contracts' scam: Brazilian prosecutors investigating Argentine construction group Technit

Brazilian police conducted raids on Wednesday in a new phase of the “Car Wash” corruption investigation, targeting alleged bribery by Italo-Argentine group Techint to secure contracts from state-run oil firm Petrobras.