Stories for December 2019

Monday, December 30th 2019 - 09:04 UTC
Russia and China collude at UN to create convention on cybercrime, alarming the West

The United Nations on Friday approved a Russian-led bid that aims to create a new convention on cybercrime, alarming rights groups and Western powers that fear a bid to restrict online freedom. The General Assembly approved the resolution sponsored by Russia and backed by China, which would set up a committee of international experts in 2020.
Monday, December 30th 2019 - 08:58 UTC
Australia orders the evacuation of 30.000 tourists as temperature rises to 40 Celsius

Thousands of residents and holiday makers have been told to evacuate a swathe of Victoria as soaring temperatures and strong winds fan massive bushfires in the Australian state.
Monday, December 30th 2019 - 08:40 UTC
Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks display is on announce city officials

A petition to cancel Sydney's famous New Year's Eve fireworks and use the money to fight bush fires ringing the city has topped 260,000 signatures, but officials say the show will go on.
Monday, December 30th 2019 - 08:38 UTC
Francis calls on families to talk at meal times and leave aside mobile phones

Pope Francis on Sunday urged people to talk to each other at mealtimes instead of using their mobile phones, citing Jesus, Mary and Joseph as an example for families to follow.
Monday, December 30th 2019 - 08:35 UTC
Putin thanks Trump for helping to foil terrorist attack in St Petersburg

Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Sunday thanked US counterpart Donald Trump for intelligence that helped to foil attacks on Russian soil, the Kremlin said. Putin thanked Trump “for the transfer, through special services, of information allowing the prevention of terrorist acts in Russia”, the president's office said in a statement.
Monday, December 30th 2019 - 08:01 UTC
Carnival Panorama wins the “Best New Cruise Ship of 2019” Award

Carnival Panorama has won the “Best New Cruise Ship” of 2019 in the Cruise Ship Awards. The new Vista-class vessel was up against Spectrum of the Seas from Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Encore operated by NCL, Sky Princess from Princess Cruises, MSC Bellissima from MSC Cruises, Costa Smeralda operated by Costa Cruises, MSC Grandiosa from MSC Cruises and Costa Venezia which is also in the Costa Cruises fleet.
Saturday, December 28th 2019 - 09:55 UTC
Argentina will continue to honor its debt, and has cleared all 2019 payments

The Argentine government will continue to honor its debt while it works to reach an agreement with creditors, both the IMF and private bond holders, with the purpose of refinancing commitments and achieve a long term sustainable path for the payments, according to sources from the Economy ministry.
Saturday, December 28th 2019 - 09:53 UTC
Argentine farmers back on the roads protesting export duties

Argentine farmers from the central provinces of Cordoba and Santa Fé are back on the roads to protest the latest raft of export duties on agriculture produce and overall increase in taxes established by the recently sworn in administration of President Alberto Fernandez.
Saturday, December 28th 2019 - 09:52 UTC
UK accused of “crimes against humanity” for not allowing people to return to Chagos islands, their ancestral home

The UK has been accused of committing “crimes against humanity” for refusing to allow people to return to their former homes on the Chagos Islands, despite a ruling earlier this year by the United Nation's highest court.
Saturday, December 28th 2019 - 09:49 UTC
In a surprising move, Argentine members of Congress freeze their salaries and allowances for 180 days

In a surprising decision and probably for the first time in Argentina history, the two chambers of Congress agreed to freeze their salaries for the next 180 days, that is until the end of June.