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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, July 27th 2024 - 00:00 UTC

Environment

  • Monday, May 13th 2024 - 10:48 UTC

    Brazil to buy rice from Mercosur countries to feed storm-hit Rio Grande do Sul

    “We're going to have to import rice from Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina,” Lula said upon announcing the initiative

    Brazil's National Supply Company (Conab) has been entrusted with purchasing one million tons of rice to feed the people of Rio Grande do Sul and avoid the intervention of middle people seeking a black market profit from the victims of the unprecedented storms. Under normal circumstances, Rio Grande do Sul accounts for 70% of Brazil's rice production.

  • Saturday, May 11th 2024 - 10:50 UTC

    Death toll in storm-hit Rio Grande do Sul updated to 116

    Assistance to places only reached by helicopter might be affected by rains during the weekend

    The total number of casualties in the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul affected by unprecedented heavy rains has been updated to 116 as bad weather has been forecast to continue over the weekend. Volumes estimated to be around 115 millimeters would again put pressure on the already overflowing rivers, according to Presidential Information Minister Paulo Pimenta.

  • Friday, May 10th 2024 - 10:40 UTC

    India will host significant Antarctica research and environmental meetings

    India’s first Antarctic research station, Dakshin Gangotri, was established in 1983. At present, India operates two year-round research stations: Maitri (1989) and Bharati (2012).

    India through the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), will host the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46) and the 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP 26) from May 20 to 30, 2024, in Kochi, Kerala. This is in line with India’s poise to facilitate constructive global dialogue on environmental stewardship, scientific collaboration, and cooperation in Antarctica.

  • Wednesday, May 8th 2024 - 10:37 UTC

    Rio Grande do Sul: Situation keeps getting worse

    Leite described the situation as a “catastrophe”

    According to the latest bulletin, 95 people have been killed so far in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul by the highly unusual heavy rains hitting the area since April 19, Agencia Brasil reported. Governor Eduardo Leite confirmed that 131 people were missing and at least 401 towns (out of 497 statewide) had been affected.

  • Tuesday, May 7th 2024 - 10:26 UTC

    Bird Flu in the Falklands: 23/24 season experience and planning for 24/25

    There is evidence to suggest that some birds have been exposed to HPAI over this season and have developed antibodies

    On Thursday 2 May the Wildlife Disease Response Group, which includes representatives from Falkland Islands Government, Falklands Conservation, Falkland Islands Tourist Board, Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, UK Ministry of Defense and other relevant stakeholders, met to discuss the 23/24 summer season specifically about the HPAI situation in the Falklands and the response to it.

  • Monday, May 6th 2024 - 10:49 UTC

    Rio Grande do Sul floods getting worse every day

    Key parts of the city of Porto Alegre have been shut down due to flooding (Pic EFE)

    According to the latest report from Civil Defense, the number of casualties in the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul since the first storms hit on April 29 have already reached 78 people, with 105 others still missing and 175 injured.

  • Sunday, May 5th 2024 - 11:23 UTC

    IAATO appoints John McKeon as Executive Committee and Chair

    McKeon has been involved in responsible Antarctic travel since 2004 and an active member of IAATO since 2010.

    The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has appointed John McKeon as Executive Committee (EC) Chair and welcomed Brandon Harvey and Jørn Henriksen to the top team during this year’s annual meeting.

  • Saturday, May 4th 2024 - 10:47 UTC

    Porto Alegre Airport shut down until further notice due to storms

    Travelers were advised to contact the airlines for more information about their flights

    In a move to preserve the safety of workers and passengers alike, the Salgado Filho Airport serving the city of Porto Alegre, the capital of the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul, has announced it would be suspending all operations until further notice, Agencia Brasil reported. The Gaúcho State is going through a heavy storm and subsequent floods that have already left nearly 40 people dead and the number is expected to grow given the number of persons still unaccounted for.

  • Friday, May 3rd 2024 - 10:50 UTC

    BAS requires “penguin detectives” for vital research on iconic animals

    Satellite image of Verleger Point emperor colony. MAXAR Technologies

    This week, British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is inviting the public to become ‘penguin detectives’ and spend five minutes counting emperor penguins to help with vital research into these iconic animals.

  • Friday, May 3rd 2024 - 10:24 UTC

    Heavy storms: Rio Grande do Sul's number of fatalities updated to 29

    The number of casualties will most likely rise because some 60 people are still missing, Leite explained

    The number of fatalities in Southeastern Brazil was updated to 29 on Thursday after at least 203 cities in the State of Rio Grande do Sul were hit by heavy storms, which are also forecast to move on to neighboring Santa Catarina over the next few days. Some 60 people are still missing, it was also reported. A hydroelectric dam broke near Bento Gonçalves, raising the alert status.