Stories for December 2020

Saturday, December 5th 2020 - 10:34 UTC
Record Covid-19 infections in Uruguay: 1825 active cases

Uruguay detected 284 new Covid-19 cases on Friday, reaching the record number of 1825 active cases, a few days after the barrier of a thousand cases was overcome and the government of Luis Lacalle Pou announced restrictive mobility measures last Monday.
Saturday, December 5th 2020 - 09:05 UTC
Falklands' trawler catches fire and sinks at Vigo port; probable total losses

A Falkland Islands trawler “Baffin Bay” has sunk at the Galician port of Vigo where it was undergoing maintenance work. The Falklands' Department of Natural Resources reported that on the morning of Thursday 3 December 2020 it was advised of a fire onboard Fishing Vessel “Baffin Bay” while she was berthed at Bouzas in Vigo.
Friday, December 4th 2020 - 18:13 UTC
Kirsty Hayes to be the next United Kingdom Ambassador to Argentina

The United Kingdom has appointed on Friday Mrs Kirsty Isobel Hayes as the future Ambassador to Argentina in succession to Mr Mark Kent. The British embassy in Buenos Aires will welcome Hayes in September 2021.
Friday, December 4th 2020 - 09:45 UTC
Imaginative Argentine minister almost spoils first video phone dialogue between Biden and Fernandez

Argentine foreign minister Felipe Solá was involved in an incident which would have normally demanded his resignation or sacking, because he misinterpreted or simply invented the issues of a conversation between president elect Joe Biden and his Argentine peer, Alberto Fernandez triggering a serious diplomatic misunderstanding in a most delicate moment.
Friday, December 4th 2020 - 09:40 UTC
IMF and Argentina discussions “very fluid and constructive”, but no date for closing a new deal

Negotiations between the International Monetary Fund and Argentina over a new IMF loan program are “very fluid and constructive,” with Argentine officials expected to come to Washington in the coming days for more talks, IMF spokesman Gerry Rice said on Thursday.
Friday, December 4th 2020 - 09:28 UTC
Almost 40% of Scotland's seas are now covered by Marine Protected Areas

New sites have been designated as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to give extra security to some of Scotland's most vulnerable species and habitats. Minke whale, basking sharks and Risso's dolphins will be among a range of animals to be safeguarded.
Friday, December 4th 2020 - 09:25 UTC
Poverty in Argentina reaches 44,2% of the population, with special impact on households with children

Some 18 million people, 44,2% of the Argentine population live in poverty conditions, and indigence trapped 10,1%, during the third quarter of 2020, according to the Argentina Catholic University Social Debt Observatory.
Friday, December 4th 2020 - 09:23 UTC
Uruguay/Google Tannat cable system links with Brazil and Argentina

The Tannat cable system connecting Uruguay and Brazil by sea has now been officially extended to Argentina. The cable is co-owned by Uruguay’s state-run telco Antel and by Google. Active since 2018, the 2,000km system links Maldonado, near Montevideo in Uruguay, to Praia Grande/Santos in Brazil’s São Paulo state.
Friday, December 4th 2020 - 09:21 UTC
Peru farm workers protest for the fourth day derailing harvests and blocking roadways

Protests by farmworkers demanding better wages in Peru raged on for a fourth day on Thursday, spreading north into key agricultural areas of the Andean nation, derailing harvests of some crops, snarling transport of produce and leaving at least one dead.
Friday, December 4th 2020 - 09:08 UTC
Strong overall rebound of Brazilian economy in third quarter, 7,7%, but still at 2017 size

Brazil’s economy grew in the third quarter by the most on record as the easing of anti-coronavirus lockdown measures triggered a strong rebound in activity across most sectors, especially industry and services, while fixed investment jumped sharply.