Stories for December 18th 2024

Wednesday, December 18th 2024 - 22:17 UTC
US dollar soars in Brazil amid fiscal uncertainty

Amid uncertainty stemming from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's planned measures, the US dollar soared Wednesday against the Brazilian real, hitting a new record of R$ 6.26 = US$ 1 while the stock market fell above 3%, also driven by the 0.25 percentage point interests cut by the US Federal Reserve (Fed).
Wednesday, December 18th 2024 - 20:21 UTC
Civic Service reinstated in Argentina

The Argentine Government announced Tuesday that it was implementing a so-called Civic Service for people aged between 18 and 24 who neither study nor work. The measure was approved in a joint agreement between the Ministries of Security and Human Capital.
Wednesday, December 18th 2024 - 10:59 UTC
EU/Mercosur trade deal: How detrimental for Mercosur and how beneficial for EU farmers?

A few days after European Commission President Ursula von del Leyen signed a long-pending trade agreement with four South American nations, French farmers were back on the streets dumping manure. This time they parked the tractors near the tunnel in Calais that goes through the English Channel, according to a report from German political and business analyst Uwe Hessler.
Wednesday, December 18th 2024 - 10:22 UTC
Brazil: Selic rate expected to keep growing next year

Brazil's Central Bank's (BCB) Monetary Policy Committee (Copom) said Tuesday in a document that further hikes to the basic interest rate (Selic) were not to be ruled out next year given the rise of the US dollar against the Brazilian real, which crossed the BR$ 6 / US$ 1 barrier after the fiscal package announced by the Government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in recent days negatively impacted the market.
Wednesday, December 18th 2024 - 10:20 UTC
Falklands publishes survey results of a mental health anti-stigma campaign

The results of the ‘Developing a mental health anti-stigma campaign for the Falkland Islands’ survey have been published.
Wednesday, December 18th 2024 - 09:52 UTC
Paraguayan President discusses energy and business with Chubut Governor

Paraguay's President Santiago Peña met Tuesday with Ignacio Torres, Governor of the Argentine Patagonian Province of Chubut, at the Mburuvicha Roga Residence in Asunción to discuss bilateral issues. The Argentine official also held encounters with local businessmen.
Wednesday, December 18th 2024 - 09:37 UTC
Uruguay: Ancap oil pipeline leak hits key road

Uruguay's State-run oil company Ancap reported Tuesday a leak in an oil pipeline around the Biarritz (kilometer 71) on Costa de Oro in the department (province) of Canelones. The spill reached the highway causing delays in vehicle circulation for a while as stains of oil and sand were removed.
Wednesday, December 18th 2024 - 07:44 UTC
Denmark releases anti-whaling activist Paul Watson; pledges to continue battling Japan’s illegal operations

The Canadian-American anti-whaling activist Paul Watson was released from a Greenland jail after a five-month detention, where he was detained on an international arrest warrant by Interpol on request from the Japanese government.
Wednesday, December 18th 2024 - 07:21 UTC
New Mauritius government questions the Chagos archipelago agreement, “not enough benefits for our country”

British media is reporting that the Republic of Mauritius has submitted changes to a proposed deal over the future of the Chagos Islands, with the country's new PM arguing the original agreement did not benefit his country enough.
Wednesday, December 18th 2024 - 07:20 UTC
Falklands Sports Council Team Kit for the Orkney Games in July 2025

In preparation for the Falkland Islands' attendance at the 20th Island Games, to be held in Orkney in July 2025, the Falkland Islands National Sports Council presented the Team Kit design. Pictured are just some of the items.