Stories for January 2020

Friday, January 10th 2020 - 14:25 UTC
Colombia eradicated 100.000 hectares of coca in 2019, president Duque reports

Colombia, a top source of coca, the base ingredient in cocaine, eradicated more than 100,000 hectares of the crop last year, President Ivan Duque said on Thursday. The Andean country has come under repeated pressure from the United States, an important destination for cocaine shipments, to reduce coca cultivation, especially as crop figures shot up in recent years.
Friday, January 10th 2020 - 14:10 UTC
Argentine jiggers begin squid season south of parallel 44

This Friday begins the Argentine squid season to the south of parallel 44, and west of meridian 62. Last year's season was encouraging with daily catches averaging 25/30 tons per jigger, however towards the end of April tonnage dropped dramatically, and the season was cut short.
Friday, January 10th 2020 - 12:10 UTC
Electric fences between Poland and Germany to avoid spread of African swine fever

Poland recorded 55 outbreaks of African swine fever in wild boar near the German border last month, the world animal health body said on Thursday, in a sign the deadly virus is spreading near one of the European Union's biggest pork exporters.
Friday, January 10th 2020 - 10:30 UTC
Bush fire in Falklands sets off dangerous .50 caliber rounds explosions

Fifty calibre rounds exploded in burning bushes as the Falkland Islands Fire and Rescue Service battled a gorse-bush fire in the early hours of January 6. Watch Manager Gene Berntsen told Penguin News this week that the rounds were heard by members of the public exploding before the arrival of the Fire Service and by fire-fighters as they tackled the fire.
Friday, January 10th 2020 - 09:59 UTC
International Contact Group on Venezuela support Guaido's reelection, except Uruguay

A dozen countries working on ways to end Venezuela's crisis on Thursday gave their backing to opposition leader Juan Guaido as a parliamentary speaker, rejecting the claims of a rival.
Friday, January 10th 2020 - 09:58 UTC
Mexico grants political asylum to members of Ecuadorean opposition holed in its Quito embassy

Mexico granted political asylum on Thursday to four members of Ecuador's opposition holed up in its embassy in Quito since widespread social unrest in October, the foreign ministry said. The four lawmakers, including former Congress speaker Gabriela Rivadeneira, “took a commercial flight to Mexico” early Thursday, the ministry said in a statement.
Friday, January 10th 2020 - 09:57 UTC
“Brexit done”: UK lawmakers vote 330/231 to leave the European Union on January 31

Lawmakers approved legislation on Thursday which will allow Britain to leave the European Union on Jan 31 with an exit deal, ending more than three years of tumult over the terms of the unprecedented divorce.They voted 330 to 231 in favour of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill, which implements an exit deal agreed with the EU last year.
Friday, January 10th 2020 - 09:57 UTC
Buenos Aires province US$ 227 million debt payment on Jan 26, a major test for creditors

Argentina's debt talks will face their first big test this month with a US$ 277-million payment due on a Buenos Aires provincial bond, seen as a gauge of how the indebted nation's new government will handle its creditors.
Friday, January 10th 2020 - 09:56 UTC
US changes policy, supports negotiations in Venezuela, a transitional government and fresh elections

The United States on Thursday threw its support behind negotiations in Venezuela, saying talks could establish a transitional government, lead to fresh elections and bring an end to the crisis.
Friday, January 10th 2020 - 09:54 UTC
US justifies at UN the killing of Iranian commander, but ready “to engage with Teheran in serious negotiations”

The United States told the United Nations on Wednesday that the killing of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani last week was self-defense and vowed to take additional action “as necessary” in the Middle East to protect US personnel and interests.