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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, May 18th 2024 - 03:51 UTC

Stories for April 2023

  • Sunday, April 16th 2023 - 11:45 UTC

    Chikungunya kills 90 people in Paraguay so far this year

    Sequera also explained that chikungunya was on the rise in the provinces but decreasing in Asuncion and in the Central department

    Paraguayan health authorities last week confirmed at least 90 deaths this year had been caused by chikungunya fever, while Uruguay detected its first imported case of the malady. One more case was also confirmed in the last days of 2022, according to the latest report from Paraguay's Health Ministry released on Friday.

  • Sunday, April 16th 2023 - 11:42 UTC

    Ecuador prison violence: 12 inmates killed in gunfight

    “We are in the worst moment of the violence crisis in the country,” Zapata said

    A new episode of violence has left at least another 12 inmates dead after gunfights at the Guayaquil El Litoral jailhouse, it was reported Saturday. It was the second massacre within the same week at that infamous prison involving rival gangs clashing over drug trafficking territorial control.

  • Saturday, April 15th 2023 - 10:05 UTC

    Argentina: Inflation in March reaches 7.7%

    The average inflation was 7.7% but lettuce went up 58.5%

    Inflation for the month of March was reported to have reached 7.7% for a 104.3% interannual and 21.7% in the first quarter of 2023, the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (Indec) said Friday. In February, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 6.6%.

  • Saturday, April 15th 2023 - 09:09 UTC

    China to open new opportunities for Brazil, Xi tells Lula

    “We count on China in our fight to preserve planet Earth,” Lula said about his environmental goals

    Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva was offered a grand welcome by his Chinese colleague Xi Jinping as both leaders set out the guidelines for a partnership that will undoubtedly play a role in world events. China “will open new opportunities for Brazil,” Xi said.

  • Saturday, April 15th 2023 - 08:33 UTC

    Brazil: Bolsonaro's disenfranchisement requested

    Bolsonaro is believed to have committed “abuse of power” when he summoned the foreign diplomatic corps to warn them of an alleged glitch with the electronic ballot boxes

    Brazil's Electoral Public Prosecutor's Office requested the disenfranchisement of former President Jair Bolsonaro, it was reported. The former head of state has been charged with “abuse of power” for casting doubts about the legitimacy of the electoral system and the electronic ballot boxes in use since 1996.

  • Saturday, April 15th 2023 - 08:20 UTC

    Japanese PM unharmed as bomb goes off during an event

    Kishida was not harmed in the incident

    Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was reported to be unharmed and in good shape after being evacuated from an event in western Japan when an explosion was heard, according to local media.

  • Saturday, April 15th 2023 - 08:12 UTC

    US Deputy Secretary of State meets with Argentine FM in BA

    “Together, Argentina and the United States can help provide fuel and food to the world,” Sherman said

    Argentine Foreign Minister and US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met Friday in Buenos Aires to further discuss a bilateral agenda set out during the March 29 summit at the White House between Presidents Joseph Biden and Alberto Fernández.

  • Saturday, April 15th 2023 - 07:37 UTC

    Chile: 40-hour working week signed into law

    Boric said it was a “historic” day because “for many years the project was considered impossible”

    Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font Friday signed into law the bill creating the 40-hour working week, one of his campaign promises .“We are taking a step forward for the welfare of working men and women”, said Boric during a promulgation ceremony at the Parque de la Familia, in Santiago.

  • Friday, April 14th 2023 - 16:23 UTC

    The Economist: “Uruguay is losing its reputation as a success story in Latin America”

    Lacalle Pou (left), VP Beatriz Argimón (center) and Presidential secretary and possible candidate of the ruling party for the next presidential elections, Álvaro Delgado (right). Photo: Presidency

    “The Economist” published an article on Thursday stating that Uruguay's reputation as a success story in the region is diminishing. Initially, the British media outlet referred to Uruguay as a “model country” and highlighted its achievements, such as obtaining 95% of its electricity from renewable sources, legalizing same-sex marriage, and allowing residents to buy cannabis from pharmacies. Uruguay was also recognized as the most peaceful and least corrupt country in South America.

  • Friday, April 14th 2023 - 10:53 UTC

    Minister Fernández sees “blood and corpses” should the opposition win

    “What they propose would come out only by repression,” Aníbal Fernández insisted

    Argentina's Security Minister Aníbal Fernández Thursday warned of the consequences of the opposition winning this year's presidential elections and foresaw “streets full of blood and dead people” should either Patricia Bullrich or Javier Milei reach Casa Rosada.