Stories for July 5th 2023

Wednesday, July 5th 2023 - 21:49 UTC
Orkney after alternative methods of governance and funding opportunities

Orkney Islands' councilors have voted to investigate alternative methods of governance amid deep frustrations over funding and opportunities. Council leader James Stockan said the islands had been “held down” and accused the Scottish and UK governments of discrimination.
Wednesday, July 5th 2023 - 11:06 UTC
Colombia's Petro has managed to reverse disapproval ratings, from 20% to 61%

Colombian president Gustavo Petro and his “government of change” project seems to have run aground, according to the latest Invamer bimonthly poll. The president, who in August 2022 began his mandate with a 56% approval rating and 20% against, now in a reversal of expectations has a disapproval rating of 61%.
Wednesday, July 5th 2023 - 10:59 UTC
Mercosur challenges EU's environmental demands in FTA; Uruguay goes rogue again

Argentina Tuesday handed over the Pro Tempore Presidency of Mercosur to Brazil and Uruguay refused to sign the joint declaration after the bloc's 62nd Summit in the Argentine city of Puerto Iguazú in the northeastern province of Misiones.
Wednesday, July 5th 2023 - 10:55 UTC
Paraguay, Uruguay urge Mercosur to speak up about situation in Venezuela

Presidents Luis Lacalle Pou of Uruguay and Mario Abdo Benítez of Paraguay Tuesday spoke against the disenfranchisement in Venezurela of opposition leader María Corina Machado in a move that seems to leave Nicolás Maduro's reelection bid unchallenged.
Wednesday, July 5th 2023 - 10:50 UTC
Monday 3 July registered the world's highest average temperature

The world's average temperature reached a new high on Monday 3 July, topping 17 degrees Celsius for the first time. US researchers said the new record was the highest in any instrumental record dating back to the end of the 19th century.
Wednesday, July 5th 2023 - 10:45 UTC
Secret Service finds cocaine in the West Wing of the White House

A white substance found inside the White House late on Sunday, that prompted a brief evacuation, tested positive for cocaine, sources told two news agencies on Tuesday.
Wednesday, July 5th 2023 - 10:39 UTC
Uruguayan exports drop again in June

Uruguayan overall exports fell sharply in June for the second straight month this year, as reported in Montevideo. The new decrease in foreign sales “was mainly explained by the negative variations in soybean and beef sales.”
Wednesday, July 5th 2023 - 10:36 UTC
ELN announces one-month truce starting Thursday

Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) ordered its forces to stop “offensive military actions” as of July 6, it was reported Tuesday in Bogotá. In a message posted on the rebel group's website, its members were advised to be prepared to “respond to threats or attacks by any armed group against our units or against the civilian population.”
Wednesday, July 5th 2023 - 10:32 UTC
Bolivian leader in favor of switching from US dollars to yuan

Luis Arce Catacora, president of Bolivia, a Mercosur associate nation that has long been trying to become a full member of the bloc, said Tuesday during the 62nd Summit in Puerto Iguazú (Argentina) that it was time we “move[d] away from the [US] dollar to base ourselves on the [Chinese] yuan and strengthen our own currencies.”
Wednesday, July 5th 2023 - 10:26 UTC
Mercosur leaders show support to Massa

Presidents Luis Lacalle Pou of Uruguay, Luis Arce Catacora of Bolivia, Mario Abdo Benítez of Paraguay, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, and Paraguay's President-elect Santiago Peña Tuesday showed strong support to Argentine Economy Minister Sergio Massa, a likely candidate to become President comes Dec. 10, on the sidelines of the 62nd Mercosur Summit in Puerto Iguazú.