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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, January 8th 2025 - 00:22 UTC

Stories for December 2024

  • Wednesday, December 4th 2024 - 06:18 UTC

    Frustrated Antarctica cruise, caused by mechanical issue, prompts protests and hunger strikes on board

    Swan Hellenic’s Diana suffered a shaft breakdown in one of two propellers, forcing the vessel to divert first to South Georgia and later Ushuaia

    A mechanical issue onboard a Swan Hellenic vessel led to the difficult decision to abandon Antarctica on a cruise whose very point was to visit Antarctica. When full refunds were not offered, hunger strikes began onboard, according to abundant cruise industry media.

  • Wednesday, December 4th 2024 - 06:11 UTC

    Patagonian Shelf Waters Abloo in austral spring, NASA Earth Observatory

    NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using PACE data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. Story by Kathryn Hansen.

    An austral spring 2024, a phytoplankton bloom off the coast of Argentina painted the waters blue and green. Blooms are common in the region this time of year, but clouds often block the view from above.

  • Tuesday, December 3rd 2024 - 20:46 UTC

    China Eastern Airlines pivotal in Chilean exports

    In the 2024-2025 cherry season, China Eastern Airlines plans to carry some 12,000 tons of these fruits from Chile

    The role of China Eastern Airlines carrying Chilean exports into the Asian giant was highlighted Monday in Beijing, on the opening day of the Chile Week event. China's share in Chile's forestry and livestock shipments rose from 13% in 2013 to 30% in 2023, it was also explained.

  • Tuesday, December 3rd 2024 - 20:07 UTC

    New facilities opened at a Russian base in Antarctica

    Over 60 scientists set sail on an Antarctica expedition aboard the Russian icebreaker Akademik Tryoshnikov

    Russia's Vostok Base in Antarctica has opened a new winter complex, the Institute of Arctic and Antarctic Studies (AARI) said in a statement: ”A new winter complex has been put into operation at the Vostok station in Central Antarctica (...) The new polar house will be used for the first time by the participants of the 70th Russian Antarctic expedition of the Institute of Arctic and Antarctic Studies,” the document mentioned.

  • Tuesday, December 3rd 2024 - 10:55 UTC

    Paris’ obsession against a deal with Mercosur: shortcomings of French agribusiness

    French agribusiness has struggled to maintain competitiveness, not only against producers outside the EU but also within the bloc, particularly Poland and Romania.

    Why is France so committed to avoid making viable the European Union/Mercosur trade and cooperation agreement? Interest group in France argue that domestic agribusiness has been undergoing profound structural changes over the past few decades, among which declining productivity, rising costs, and a waning interest among younger generations in pursuing agricultural work.

  • Tuesday, December 3rd 2024 - 10:33 UTC

    What will the Mercosur summit discuss?

    As Uruguay prepares to hand over Mercosur’s pro tempore presidency to Argentina, this summit could define the bloc’s path forward amid global trade uncertainties

    Montevideo will host the XLV Mercosur Summit on 5-6 December, bringing together South American leaders to discuss pressing regional issues. Outgoing Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou will chair the meeting, along with Argentina's Javier Milei, Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Paraguay's Santiago Peña. Uruguay's President-elect Yamandú Orsi will also attend.

  • Tuesday, December 3rd 2024 - 09:45 UTC

    Rio de Janeiro up for busy cruise ship activity this month

    Between December 25 and 31, over 22,000 tourists are expected through the Mauá Pier terminal

    Rio de Janeiro authorities confirmed that the cruise ship industry is expected to bring some 74,000 tourists this month, Agencia Brasil reported Monday after the season kicked off Sunday with the arrival of the first five of nine vessels. During the holiday season alone, between December 25 and 31, over 22,000 tourists will pass through the Mauá Pier terminal.

  • Tuesday, December 3rd 2024 - 09:40 UTC

    Brazil's Anatel gives nod to 5G nationwide

    Operators can start installing 5G technology but it will not be operational until 2029

    Brazil's National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) and the Band Management Entity (EAF) announced that the 3.5 gigahertz (GHz) frequency band, intended for 5G, had been “cleared” as of Monday, after the total removal of interference that prevented the activation of the signal in the 5,570 municipalities nationwide, Agencia Brasil reported.

  • Tuesday, December 3rd 2024 - 09:17 UTC

    Argentine Senator wants federal intervention in his province

    Paoltroni insisted Formosa was not an isolated case of authoritarianism

    Argentine Senator Francisco Paoltroni went to Casa Rosada Monday to deliver a draft bill to President Javier Milei to impose a federal intervention in the province of Formosa and put an end to the neverending rule of Peronist Governor Gildo Insfran, who has turned the territory into virtually his private ranch: “There is no other institutional way”, the national lawmaker from Formosa explained through social media.

  • Tuesday, December 3rd 2024 - 08:53 UTC

    Uruguayan oil company Ancap in the red

    Ancap invested US$ 67 million in renewing the La Teja refinery, which accounted for part of the setback

    Uruguay's State-owned oil company Ancap posted losses above US$ 130 million that grew throughout 2024 resulting in a five-year deficit for which its board of directors hold unionists responsible, in addition to a technical stoppage at the La Teja refinery that lasted longer than expected.