Stories for December 23rd 2021

Thursday, December 23rd 2021 - 20:30 UTC
Almost 30 tons of illegally extracted coltan taken away from Colombian guerrillas

According to reports published this week, Colombian law enforcement authorities have seized some 30 tons of coltan in the last six months from Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) and National Liberation Army (ELN) dissidents, who, according to the Prosecutor's Office, allegedly exploited indigenous people to extract the mineral.
Thursday, December 23rd 2021 - 20:20 UTC
Argentina's oil exports on the rise

Two shipments of Vaca Muerta crude oil carrying around 490,000 barrels each from Puerto Rosales to Porto Alegre in Brazil represent a sizeable increase in exports from the Neuquén Basin, it was reported.
Thursday, December 23rd 2021 - 20:03 UTC
Eduardo Bolsonaro says “Bolivarian Chile” to follow Venezuela's path

Brazilian Deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of President Jair Bolsonaro, has heralded that once President-elect Gabriel Boric takes office, “Chile will now follow a similar path to that of Venezuela” and admitted he favored far-right candidate José Antonio Kast.
Thursday, December 23rd 2021 - 19:17 UTC
First cryptocurrency for LGTBI + community launched in Spain

Spanish traders have announced “Maricoin,” the new cryptocurrency created by and for the LGTBI + community, will be launched on Christmas Eve in Madrid. The new money will be accepted as of Dec. 31 throughout 25 gay-friendly businesses throughout Spain after the pilot test this coming Friday, Dec. 24.
Thursday, December 23rd 2021 - 09:48 UTC
Uruguay's President admits FTA with Turkey under consideration

Uruguay's President Luis Lacalle Pou Wednesday admitted his country was after one-on-one trade deals with countries other than China and singled out Turkey was a target. Regarding a possible agreement with the United States, Lacalle said it would be a childhood dream come true.
Thursday, December 23rd 2021 - 09:24 UTC
Falklands waiting for Argentine response on the request for a compassionate charter flight to Chile

The Falkland Islands Government Head of Communications has confirmed that “we are still waiting for a response from the Government of Argentina,” on the matter of the Falklands Islands request for a compassionate charter flight to Chile, “so no further information since the request was made eleven days ago.”
Thursday, December 23rd 2021 - 09:20 UTC
Boris Johnson message: Falklands are part of the Great British family

The traditional Christmas and New Year message from the UK's Prime Minister to the people of the Falkland Islands was published in the last 2021 edition of the Penguin News.
Thursday, December 23rd 2021 - 09:09 UTC
Life expectancy falls in the US due to COVID-19

A report released Wednesday has shown that life expectancy in the United States has dropped in a way unseen since World War II as a consequence of the spread of COVID-19.
Thursday, December 23rd 2021 - 09:05 UTC
IAPA wants press freedom guaranteed in Chile's new Constitution

The Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) Wednesday asked Chile's Constitutional Convention to “guarantee the broadest access to public information and to prohibit Congress from enacting laws that restrict freedom of the press” in the new text being drafted.
Thursday, December 23rd 2021 - 09:00 UTC
WHO issues emergency approval for Novavax

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an emergency approval for the Novavax drug against COVID-19, which has thus become the 10th vaccine available in the fight against the rapidly spreading disease.