Stories for December 21st 2019

Saturday, December 21st 2019 - 11:07 UTC
Argentina appoints team for talks with creditors to renegotiate massive sovereign debt

Argentina appointed a government team to kick off talks with creditors to renegotiate about US$100 billion in sovereign debt as the new center-left administration of President Alberto Fernandez postponed payments on some of its short-term debt.
Saturday, December 21st 2019 - 11:06 UTC
Falklands, UK forces and South Georgia: The search for the Chilean aircraft continues

The Search and Rescue operation of the Chilean Air Force’s C-130, that made full use of assets and personnel available of the Falkland Islands Government (FIG), the British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) and the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI), continues along with the Chile’s search command, according to a joint statement released on Friday:
Saturday, December 21st 2019 - 11:05 UTC
Maduro trying to block Guaido's re-election; US anticipates further sanctions

The United States on Friday promised further sanctions to pressure Venezuela's leader Nicolas Maduro, accusing him of bribing lawmakers to block the re-election of his opponent Juan Guaido.
Saturday, December 21st 2019 - 11:03 UTC
Argentina's credit rating downgraded to near-default by Fitch and S&P

Argentina’s credit rating was downgraded to near-default status by two of the biggest global rating companies, Fitch Ratings, and S&P Global after the government said it would delay payments on its short term dollar-denominated local debt.
Saturday, December 21st 2019 - 11:03 UTC
Australia: “catastrophic” conditions in Greater Sydney surrounded by a ring of fire

Firefighters in the Australian state of New South Wales were bracing for “catastrophic” fire conditions on Saturday as temperatures well above 40 degrees Celsius and strong winds were set to fuel more than 100 fires burning across the state.
Saturday, December 21st 2019 - 11:00 UTC
It's official: US creates the sixth military branch, the Space Force

President Donald Trump signed legislation on Friday to create a full-fledged Pentagon force for combat in outer space - the first new military service in seven decades. Capping an ambitious order Trump issued in June 2018, the US Space Force officially came into being when Trump signed the annual military budget, the US$738 billion National Defense Authorization Act.
Saturday, December 21st 2019 - 10:53 UTC
Ms O'Connor, new UK ambassador to Uruguay, takes appointment in August 2020

Ms. Faye O’Connor OBE has been appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Uruguay in succession to Mr. Ian Duddy who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms. O’Connor will take up her appointment in August 2020.
Saturday, December 21st 2019 - 10:48 UTC
Falklands patrol HMS Clyde decommissioned in Portsmouth before its future life with the Brazilian Navy

A Royal Naval patrol vessel has returned to its home base in Portsmouth for the final time after spending 12 years on patrol around the Falkland Islands. Sailors and crew of the HMS Clyde have taken part in a decommissioning ceremony for the 13-year-old vessel before it is turned back over the BAE Systems for its future life in Brazil.
Saturday, December 21st 2019 - 10:38 UTC
Two Carnival cruise vessels collide at the Mexican busy port of Cozumel

“Carnival Glory” on Friday has collided another ship in the fleet, Carnival Legend during a port of call at Cozumel, Mexico, in the western Caribbean. While the ship was maneuvering in port this morning the aft of the ship crashed into Legend, which was already securely docked.
Saturday, December 21st 2019 - 10:34 UTC
Trump accepts Pelosi's invitation for the state of the union speech on February 4

US President Donald Trump has accepted the invitation from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to deliver his state of the union speech on Feb 4, the White House said on Friday. The invite for the annual presidential speech to Congress comes at a charged political moment, with Trump freshly impeached for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, and facing a trial in a US Senate that is almost certain to acquit him.