Stories for 2023

Saturday, September 30th 2023 - 09:40 UTC
US Gov't shutdown imminent as temporary funding bill rejected

The Government of the United States faces an imminent shutdown after 21 hard-line Republican representatives joined Democrats to halt by 232 votes to 198 a stopgap measure to fund the government for 30 days. In this scenario, it is almost certain that federal agencies will partially shut down starting this Sunday, Oct. 1.
Saturday, September 30th 2023 - 09:27 UTC
Lula recovering well after hip surgery

Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is well after undergoing scheduled hip replacement surgery, it was reported. His recovery will take between three and four weeks. He also seized the opportunity to have plastic surgery performed on his eyelids, a procedure known as blepharoplasty. Lula is turning 78 next month.
Saturday, September 30th 2023 - 09:05 UTC
Newest Buquebús unit to be named after actress China Zorrilla

Buquebús, the only company offering passenger services linking Montevideo and Buenos Aires daily across the River Plate in addition to the route between Colonia and the Argentine capital, announced Friday that its newest unit already under construction and slated to be delivered in 2025 would be named after Uruguayan actress China Zorrilla.
Saturday, September 30th 2023 - 08:53 UTC
Uruguay to be miked for security reasons

Uruguay's Ministry of the Interior will deploy microphones in public places to capture loud sounds such as gunshots to help geolocate incidents, it was reported Friday in Montevideo. The agency has already launched a purchase process from the company Sound Thinking.
Saturday, September 30th 2023 - 08:34 UTC
IAATO includes geo-fenced protection areas for whales in its Antarctica guidelines

The 2023/24 Antarctica season will see 17 new trial site guidelines including special areas so as to protect whales, according to the latest initiatives by IAATO, reports Sea Trade Cruise News.
Saturday, September 30th 2023 - 08:27 UTC
Falklands attends the Conservative Party Conference at Manchester

The Falkland Islands will be present at the annual Conservative Party conference scheduled to begin on Sunday and last until Wednesday, 4 October, when the Prime Minister will be giving one of the closing speeches.
Friday, September 29th 2023 - 10:29 UTC
Argentine Senate greenlights Income Tax reform

The Argentine Senate Thursday passed a bill by 38 votes to 27 to up the barrier indicating who must pay the Income (Earnings) Tax. Despite opposition from Juntos por el Cambio (JxC) citing “electioneering” intentions, the measure proposed by Economy Minister and presidential candidate Sergio Massa was approved last week by the Lower House.
Friday, September 29th 2023 - 09:51 UTC
US offers reward amid probe into Ecuadorian candidate's murder

The US State Department Thursday made available US$ 5 million in rewards for information leading to the arrest of those who murdered Ecuador's presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio last month in Quito. The State Department also offered up to US$ 1 million for clues leading to the identification of high-ranking members of the criminal group.
Friday, September 29th 2023 - 09:27 UTC
Trade deal between Paraguay and the United States extended until 2025

Authorities from Paraguay and the United States agreed in Asunción this week to extend until 2025 an agreement in place since 2019 to expedite the exchange, marketing, importation, and exportation of agricultural products.
Friday, September 29th 2023 - 09:21 UTC
Is Milei fit for the presidential debates?

According to uncorroborated rumors circulating in Buenos Aires Thursday, Congressman Javier Milei, the presidential candidate from La Libertad Avanza (LLA) was suffering from some sort of mental breakdown, which raised the possibility that he might not be fit for the mandatory debates with the other four contenders who made it through the Aug. 13 Mandatory, Open, and Simultaneous Primary (PASO) elections.