Stories for May 18th 2023

Thursday, May 18th 2023 - 14:12 UTC
Brazil arrests dozens and busts network which shipped millions of dollars in drugs to European ports

Several law enforcement departments in Brazil were involved in busting a criminal organization linked to international and interstate drug trafficking from the port of Paranaguá, along the Paraná river in the state of Parana. The operation under the code name “Downfall” included the Brazilian Federal Police, PF, the Civil Force from the state of Paraná and the Federal Revenue Office.
Thursday, May 18th 2023 - 14:06 UTC
The next five years, “the warmest on record”, anticipates the UN's Meteorological Organization

The next five years are expected to be the warmest period on record, the UN's World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned on Wednesday. “There is a 98-percent likelihood that at least one of the next five years, and the five-year period as a whole, will be the warmest on record,” the WMO said.
Thursday, May 18th 2023 - 14:03 UTC
Turkey brokers a two month extension of the Black Sea grain shipments benefitting Ukraine exports

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Wednesday that a two-month extension of the UN-back grain deal, allowing shipments of grain from Ukraine to the global market, had been reached.
Thursday, May 18th 2023 - 11:57 UTC
Some rains forecasted but water crisis still dramatic in Uruguay

Uruguay's Meteorological Institute (Inumet) Wednesday announced it forecasted rainfalls between May 19 and 21, albeit below 10 millimeters, with a probability of occurrence between 60% and 80%, it was reported in Montevideo.
Thursday, May 18th 2023 - 11:49 UTC
Javier Milei's Presidential Platform: Privatization, Gun Rights, and Immigration Restrictions

Controversial Libertarian Deputy Javier Milei pledged to sell off all of the State's assets, legalize the free carrying of weapons, privatize the health system, impose cuts in pension expenses, eliminate the compulsory nature of sex education in schools, and restrict the entry of foreigners, among other ideas if he is elected President of Argentina.
Thursday, May 18th 2023 - 11:09 UTC
BAS ends 2022/23 Antarctic field season with over sixty science projects

The British Antarctic Survey 2022/23 Antarctic field season has ended, marking the conclusion of another successful year of scientific exploration in one of the world’s most remote and challenging environments.
Thursday, May 18th 2023 - 11:05 UTC
Florida Gov. enacts law banning gender reassignment surgery for minors

Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis Wednesday signed into law the banning of definitive sex reassignment surgeries for children and puberty blockers used to guide development toward one gender. “It's important that we in Florida stand up for our youth,” DeSantis said.
Thursday, May 18th 2023 - 11:03 UTC
Ecuador: President Lasso dissolves Parliament, calls for early elections

Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso has dissolved his country's Parliament -which was trying to impeach him out of office- and called for early elections by resorting to a procedure outlined in the Constitution, it was reported in Quito. In the meantime, Lassso will run the country through Constitutional Court monitored decrees.
Thursday, May 18th 2023 - 11:00 UTC
Children survive aircraft crash after 17 days in Colombia

Four children who had been missing for 17 days since the single-engined Cessna 206 aircraft they were riding plunged into the ground were found alive Tuesday by Colombian authorities, it was reported Wednesday in Bogota. The survivors are 13, 9, and 4 years old, and 11 months. The three adults also aboard the aircraft perished in the accident.
Thursday, May 18th 2023 - 10:40 UTC
Chile ups tax burden on copper mining

Chile's Lower House Wednesday passed a bill increasing taxation on large copper mining, with which the Government of President Gabriel Boric Font intends to feed the country's coffers, it was reported in Santiago.