Stories for December 20th 2023

Wednesday, December 20th 2023 - 20:22 UTC
Falklands, new confirmed avian influenza case: black browed albatross

On Tuesday 28 November 2023 a black-browed albatross, that was found dead on Steeple Jason, was swabbed for highly pathogenic avian influenza. A positive result was returned.
Wednesday, December 20th 2023 - 20:03 UTC
US organizes deployment of multinational naval force in the Red Sea to protect commercial shipping

The United States has organized the deployment in the Red Sea of a multinational naval force to defend against attacks on international shipping in the region. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, currently visiting Bahrain made the announcement.
Wednesday, December 20th 2023 - 18:00 UTC
Ex-Royal Marine attempting a Guinness World Record by skiing to the South Pole

A Welsh ex-Royal Marine from Seven Sisters in Neath Port Talbot, Dave Thomas, is aiming to set a new Guinness World Record, becoming the oldest person to ski unsupported from Hercules Inlet, in West Antarctica, to the South Pole, reports BBC.
Wednesday, December 20th 2023 - 10:45 UTC
IMF says Brazil is the 9th economy in the world

According to a report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) released Tuesday, Brazil is now the ninth-largest economy in the world, thus displacing Canada from that position.
Wednesday, December 20th 2023 - 10:42 UTC
Argentina: Milei to explain drastic measures

Argentine President Javier Milei will go on national television on Wednesday to explain the scope of his most-encompassing emergency decree (DNU) to deregulate the economy with more than 600 provisions.
Wednesday, December 20th 2023 - 10:19 UTC
Uruguayan President and his children land in Antarctica

The Uruguayan Air Force's Lockheed C-130 Hercules FAU 594 carrying President Luis Lacalle Pou and his children landed at the South American country's Artigas Base (BCAA) in Antarctica on Tuesday. “After 30 years, I have returned to Antarctica. The Artigas base houses military and civilians who work side by side,” Lacalle wrote on social networks.
Wednesday, December 20th 2023 - 09:55 UTC
Maduro meets with Repsol executives to advance on joint venture

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro met Tuesday in Caracas with executives from the Spanish oil company Repsol to further discuss the details of Monday's agreement with the South American country's PDVSA (Petróleos de Venezuela) to reactivate operations as the United States temporarily lifted some sanctions previously imposed on the regime.
Wednesday, December 20th 2023 - 09:55 UTC
Essequibo conflict means higher insurance costs for Guyana

Amid escalating concerns about the Essequibo crisis with neighboring Venezuela, Guyana has been included in the list of greatest risk for maritime transport drafted by insurers Lloyd's Market Association for vessels visiting offshore facilities in the former British colony's Exclusive Economic Zone, beyond “territorial waters.”
Wednesday, December 20th 2023 - 09:28 UTC
Covid-19: WHO labels Pirola a Variant of Interest

The World Health Organization Tuesday (WHO) warned that in addition to COVID-19, other respiratory diseases such as influenza, RSV, and common childhood pneumonia were on the rise and advised people at risk to take precautionary steps.