Stories for December 2019

Tuesday, December 31st 2019 - 11:55 UTC
Auto tycoon on bail in Japan flees and takes refuge in Lebanon

Carlos Ghosn's main lawyer said on Tuesday he was “dumbfounded” by the news of his client's sudden departure from Japan where he was out on bail ahead of a trial for financial misconduct.
Tuesday, December 31st 2019 - 11:48 UTC
Thousands of Australian holidaymakers trapped on a beach close to fire ravaged Sydney

Thousands of holidaymakers and locals were trapped on a beach in fire-ravaged southeast Australia on Tuesday, as blazes ringed a popular tourist area leaving no escape by land. As many as four thousand people are trapped on the foreshore of the encircled seaside town of Mallacoota, as smoke turned day to night and the authorities said nearby fires were causing extreme thunderstorms and “ember attacks”.
Tuesday, December 31st 2019 - 10:53 UTC
Angela Merkel's New Year message reaffirms the fight against climate change

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in her New Year's message she is fighting climate change with all her strength to enable future generations to live in peace and prosperity.
Monday, December 30th 2019 - 17:46 UTC
Antonio Guterres New Year's message: “We enter 2020 with uncertainty and insecurity”

United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, issued a 2020 New Year’s message, where he explains the importance of the new generations to confront the raising problems that envolves “a warring world and a warming planet”. In front of the 75th anniversary of the UN, the message follows:
Monday, December 30th 2019 - 09:58 UTC
Filmus officially appointed as Malvinas, Antarctica and South Atlantic Secretary

The Argentine government made official the appointment of Daniel Filmus as head of the Malvinas, Antarctica and South Atlantic Secretary, which depends on the ministry of foreign affairs and worship.
Monday, December 30th 2019 - 09:56 UTC
Argentine president manages an all encompassing Social Pact, but farmers did not show up

Argentine president Alberto Fernandez together with business people, union leaders and representatives from social groupings launched the social pact, called “Argentine commitment for development and solidarity”, with the purpose of achieving long term consensus that goes beyond a presidential mandate (four years), and includes “shared goals which can be crystallized in different chapters”
Monday, December 30th 2019 - 09:55 UTC
Piñera triggers more riots as he claims many videos on the protests were fake news

Chilean President Sebastian Piñera, whose government has been rocked by riots over inequality, ignited a fresh wave of anger after claiming that “many” videos on social media of police abuse of demonstrators were “fake news”, and unrest was being fomented by foreign governments.
Monday, December 30th 2019 - 09:50 UTC
Ex judge Moro chosen as one of the decade's personalities by the Financial Times

Brazilian Justice Minister Sergio Moro was chosen as one of the fifty personalities of the decade by the Financial Times, a list which includes activists, politicians, business people and sports persons from all over the world.
Monday, December 30th 2019 - 09:45 UTC
Freezing record: Six men cross the Drake Passage to Antarctica rowing, in 13 days

As freezing water thrashed their rowboat in some of the most treacherous waters in the world, six men fought for 13 days to make history, becoming the first people to traverse the infamous Drake Passage with nothing other than sheer manpower.
Monday, December 30th 2019 - 09:40 UTC
Spain/Bolivia/Mexico spat over an alleged attempt to rescue ex president Morales aids accused of sedition

Bolivia accused Spain of an abortive attempt to extract a wanted former government aid from Mexico's embassy in La Paz, prompting a sharp denial from Madrid. It was the latest twist in a murky incident on Friday involving embassy personnel in the Bolivian capital that has sparked a bitter diplomatic spat.