Stories for February 5th 2024

Monday, February 5th 2024 - 19:30 UTC
King Charles III undergoing treatment for cancer

Buckingham Palace confirmed in a statement Monday that King Charles III is undergoing treatment for cancer unrelated to the enlarged prostate for which the 75-year-old monarch underwent surgery on Jan. 29.
Monday, February 5th 2024 - 11:01 UTC
Bukele announces victory in El Salvador elections

El Salvador's Nayib Bukele declared himself the winner “with more than 85% of the votes” before the official results of Sunday's elections were released. “According to our numbers, we have won the presidential election with more than 85% of the votes and a minimum of 58 of 60 Assembly deputies,” he stressed on social media.
Monday, February 5th 2024 - 11:01 UTC
Chile: Multiple wildfires leave 112 dead; could be more, Boric warns

According to the latest bulletin from Chilean authorities Sunday, at least 112 people had been killed as wildfires kept multiplying nationwide during the weekend, particularly in the Valparaiso region. Some 40,000 people have been left homeless or displaced, it was also reported.
Monday, February 5th 2024 - 10:53 UTC
Falklands oil industry: UK complete support, but no financial backing for islands’ bonds

Exploring the viability of the oil industry in the Falkland Islands is building up since its Readiness program in 2014 and has been further boosted by recent agreements among companies interested in developing potential projects, but it recently also faced an unexpected technical hurdle from the UK Treasury Department. Nevertheless, London once again ratified support for the Falkland's right to explore and exploit its natural resources.
Monday, February 5th 2024 - 10:51 UTC
BAS autonomous drone, Windracers ULTRA, to survey Antarctica at lower cost and lower carbon footprint

A team have arrived at Rothera Research Station, ready to start testing the new Windracers ULTRA autonomous drone in Antarctica. If successful, the new drone platform could represent a major addition to British Antarctic Survey’s scientific capability on the frozen continent – offering the potential to do more science at a lower cost, with a lower carbon footprint than traditional crewed aviation.
Monday, February 5th 2024 - 10:50 UTC
Brazil reinforcing military presence in Roraima bordering Venezuela and Guyana

A total of 28 armored vehicles have been deployed to the State of Roraima as the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva takes additional precautions amid mounting tension between Venezuela and Guyana over the oil-rich Essequibo region, Agencia Brasil reported.
Monday, February 5th 2024 - 10:49 UTC
Argentine SMEs report sharp drop in sales

Argentina's Chamber of Small and Medium-sized Businesses (CAME) released a report Sunday pointing out that retail sales had suffered an interannual drop of 28.5% last month as a result of the loss in purchasing power by consumers affected by President Javier Milei's latest measures. Sales also fell by 6.4 % from December, CAME said.
Monday, February 5th 2024 - 10:46 UTC
Argentina exported 682,000 tons of beef last year, mostly to China

Argentina is forecasted to increase 5,1% beef and calf production this year, reaching some 3,3 million tons with a domestic consumption of 2.43 million tons, according to the latest report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This follows on a record beef exports 2023, 682.000 tons, despite government measures and export levies aimed at curbing prices in the home market in an election year.
Monday, February 5th 2024 - 10:42 UTC
Argentina: Milei's passionate kiss on stage makes headlines

Javier Milei made the headlines this weekend for his unpresidential kiss on stage with his romantic partner Fátima Florez at a Mar del Plata theater, where the entertainer was performing before celebrating her birthday.
Monday, February 5th 2024 - 10:41 UTC
Falklands reminds increase in the rate of Embarkation Tax for air passengers

The Falkland Islands government reminds that as agreed in the Budget for 2023/24, the rate of embarkation tax payable by passengers departing the Falkland Islands by air, in accordance with the Embarkation Tax Regulations Ordinance 1999, was increased from £27 to £30 per passenger, with effect from Monday 1 January 2024.