Stories for 2024

Thursday, October 31st 2024 - 19:40 UTC
Work begins in Royal Navy’s new Type 31 frigate HMS Formidable

With a blinding arc of light as the laser cutter sliced through steel plate, work started this week on the Royal Navy’s new frigate HMS Formidable. Watched by political, military and business leaders – as well as the hundreds of skilled engineers and technicians – local MP Graeme Downie pressed the button to set the machine in motion at Babcock’s state-of-the-art facility in Rosyth.
Thursday, October 31st 2024 - 19:21 UTC
UK Office for Budget Responsibility, new government increases spending by £70bn annually for the next five years

A quick analysis by the Chair from the UK Office for Budget Responsibility, Richard Hughes, on the Budget announced to Parliament on Wednesday by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP.
Thursday, October 31st 2024 - 19:14 UTC
First mpox case detected in London; overall risk for UK population “remains low”, UKHSA

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected a single confirmed human case of Clade Ib mpox, (monkey pox) but it has also said the risk to the UK population remains low.
Thursday, October 31st 2024 - 10:55 UTC
US gives nod to sale of F-16 equipment to Argentina

The US State Department Wednesday gave its nod to the possible sale of high-tech equipment for Argentina's F-16 combat aircraft. The US$ 941 million operation has the Fort Worth (Texas) based company Lockheed Martin as the primary contractor. “This agreement reinforces US foreign policy and security objectives by supporting the security of an important ally in South America,” the State Department said in a statement.
Thursday, October 31st 2024 - 10:45 UTC
Venezuela pulls ambassador from Brasilia for consultations

Venezuela's Bolivarian regime Wednesday summoned its Ambassador in Brasilia to Caracas for consultations in repudiation of statements by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's foreign affairs advisor Celso Amorim, Agencia Brasil reported.
Thursday, October 31st 2024 - 10:22 UTC
Business as usual in Argentina as bus strike is lifted

It will be business as usual for Argentines on Thursday after the bus drivers' Unión Tranviarios Automotor (UTA) lifted the strike following an understanding with the Labor Ministry and the companies represented by the Asociación Argentina de Empresarios del Transporte Automotor.
Thursday, October 31st 2024 - 10:19 UTC
BCP intervention keeps guaraní afloat against US dollar

After an intervention by the Central Bank of Paraguay (BCP) deemed as “timely” in Asunción's financial circles last week, the local currency appreciated against the US dollar and fell further away from the psychological ₲ 8,000 barrier. The BCP pledged to further inject at least US$ 15 million daily into the market, to stabilize the local currency. The dollar went up 9% against the guarani in 2024, largely driven by demand for the dollar in the international market and by local exchange needs.
Thursday, October 31st 2024 - 00:35 UTC
How is gambling regulated in Europe vs Latin America

The gambling sector is very lucrative in every part of the world but tends also to be highly contentious. This has led to very stringent regulations in most places. This is to ensure player protection, maintain fair practices, and prevent criminal activities like money laundering.
Wednesday, October 30th 2024 - 22:38 UTC
Milei sacks Mondino for not siding with US against Cuba

Argentine President Javier Milei sacked Foreign Ministry Diana Mondino Wednesday after Argentina voted in line with most countries at the United Nations (UN) against the US trade embargo on Cuba in force since 1962. The 32nd consecutive non-binding resolution in the same regard was passed with 187 votes in favor, two against (USA and Israel) and one abstention (Moldova). Mondino will be replaced by the current ambassador to the United States, Gerardo Werthein.
Wednesday, October 30th 2024 - 21:38 UTC
Dozens killed by heavy rains hitting Spain

Local authorities have left behind the rescue efforts and moved on the the body-retrieving and identification phase Wednesday after at least 62 people died in the Spanish Community of Valencia as a consequence of this week's severe flooding caused by the Isolated High-Level Depression (known for its Spanish acronym DANA, depresión aislada en niveles altos). Another person was reported dead in the central region of Castilla-La Mancha.