Politics

Thursday, August 22nd 2019 - 09:56 UTC
Bolsonaro suggests green groups started the blaze in the Amazon to blame him

Wildfires in the Amazon rainforest in northern Brazil have ignited a firestorm on social media, with President Jair Bolsonaro on Wednesday suggesting green groups started the blazes. Images of fires purportedly devouring sections of the world's largest rainforest have gone viral on Twitter.
Thursday, August 22nd 2019 - 09:55 UTC
Argentina default “possible”, but not “probable”, says credit rating agency Fitch

Argentina could be downgraded again by Fitch Ratings if further weakness in the Peso boosts the risk of default, the agency’s head of sovereign ratings said in an interview. Argentina has issued billions of dollars worth of bonds denominated in U.S. currency.
Thursday, August 22nd 2019 - 09:54 UTC
Tougher rules at US borders: no limit for migrant children's detention and an end to birthright citizenship

President Donald Trump's administration announced on Wednesday that it would remove tough legal limits on how long migrant children can be detained as part of its broader crackdown on undocumented immigrants.
Thursday, August 22nd 2019 - 09:19 UTC
British Prime Minister girlfriend barred from entering the United States

The girlfriend of new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been denied permission to enter the United States because of her trip to East Africa’s Somaliland in 2018. Carrie Symonds, who moved into 10 Downing Street when Johnson became prime minister in July, was hoping to visit the US in the next few days as part of her adviser role for Oceana, a US-based environmental non-profit organization.
Thursday, August 22nd 2019 - 09:03 UTC
US professional diplomats question Trump/Pompeo policy focus and foreign aid cuts

The ranks of the United States' foreign policy establishment are being roiled once again by resignations, reports of partisan intimidation in the midst of looming massive cuts in foreign aid that critics in Congress and elsewhere contend weaken American diplomacy worldwide.
Thursday, August 22nd 2019 - 09:00 UTC
Ecuador combats pollution: recyclable plastic bottles exchanged for money to buy local transport tickets

Looking after the environment is paying off in Ecuador, at least for public transport users in the business hub of Guayaquil. A new scheme aimed at combating garbage and pollution allows people to exchange recyclable plastic bottles for money to buy bus tickets.
Wednesday, August 21st 2019 - 09:59 UTC
Uruguay president announces a malignant growth in his right lung: it was detected on time, says personal doctor

Uruguay’s President Tabare Vazquez announced on Tuesday that doctors detected a likely malignant growth in his right lung during a routine checkup. Vazquez, a 79-year-old former oncologist, said he would likely be hospitalized for a day or two while he undergoes additional exams to reach a definitive diagnosis.
Wednesday, August 21st 2019 - 09:58 UTC
Argentine presidential candidate Fernandez favors the Mexico/Uruguay position in the Venezuela conflict

Argentine presidential candidate Alberto Fernandez said on Tuesday that if he wins the October election he would join Mexico and Uruguay in promoting dialogue with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Wednesday, August 21st 2019 - 09:56 UTC
Stabilizing the Peso, priority of the new Argentina finance minister; markets still unconvinced

Argentina's new finance minister made stabilizing the country's battered currency his top priority on Tuesday, while still pledging to meet commitments made to the International Monetary Fund, which is sending a team to Buenos Aires.
Wednesday, August 21st 2019 - 09:55 UTC
Daytime smoke blackout in Sao Paulo blamed on Amazon rainforest fires

Brazil's Amazon rainforest has seen a record number of fires this year, according to new data from the country's space research agency. The National Institute for Space Research (Inpe) said its satellite data showed an 83% increase on the same period in 2018.