Stories for March 2020

Thursday, March 19th 2020 - 08:36 UTC
Most world airlines “will be bankrupt by the end of May”

Sydney-based consultancy CAPA Center for Aviation warned in a statement on Monday that most of the world's airlines will be bankrupt by the end of May. Airline carriers are suspending routes for March, April, and May, and a full grounding of fleets has yet to be ruled out as flight restrictions have been placed across the world, spurring a collapse in demand, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Thursday, March 19th 2020 - 08:25 UTC
Brazil central bank cuts benchmark rate 50 points to a record low of 3.75%

Brazil’s central bank on Wednesday cut its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points to a record-low 3.75% to cushion the economic blow of the coronavirus pandemic but signaled no rush to cut again and emphasized the need for more economic reforms.
Thursday, March 19th 2020 - 08:23 UTC
Mnuchin denies potential US unemployment of 20% but considers a US$ 2.000 stimulus check to every American

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Wednesday vowed that unemployment would not reach 20%, seeking to clarify comments he made a day earlier on a worst-case economic scenario resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
Thursday, March 19th 2020 - 08:21 UTC
Oil prices collapse below US$ 30 a barrel and could drop to US$ 20, Goldman Sachs estimates

U.S. oil prices reached their lowest point since 2003 on Wednesday as the coronavirus has reduced demand in countries around the world. The prices fell for a third session, with U.S. crude Clc1 reaching US$ 25.06 per barrel, the lowest prices since late April 2003. As of 11:35 GMT, U.S. crude Clc1 hit US$1.51 cents or 5.6 percent at US$ 25.44 per barrel.
Thursday, March 19th 2020 - 08:20 UTC
Russian economy battered by the oil price war with Saudi Arabia

Russia, hit by falling oil prices and the coronavirus outbreak, has announced the formation of a US$4 billion fund as part of a package of measures to support the economy.
Wednesday, March 18th 2020 - 08:59 UTC
Falklands updates air and cruise ship advisory; recommends foreign nationals in the Islands to take Wednesday's Latam flight

The Falkland Islands Government has announced a new air travel advisory and outlined the terms on which it may assist cruise ships seeking to repatriate passengers. Likewise, it strongly recommends foreign nationals seeking to leave the Falklands to do so on Wednesday, March 18, LATAM flight.
Wednesday, March 18th 2020 - 08:58 UTC
Covid 19: Mercosur countries isolated from the world and among themselves

The number of Coronavirus cases tested positive are increasing significantly, in the exponential leg of the process, in Mercosur country members and in Chile. Brazil reported the first death, a 62 year old man in Sao Paulo with a medical record of high pressure and diabetes.
Wednesday, March 18th 2020 - 07:30 UTC
Bolsonaro asks Congress to declare state of emergency to free federal funds from spending caps

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro said on Tuesday his second coronavirus test was negative and his government asked Congress to authorize a state of emergency that would allow it to scrap fiscal targets and free up funds to combat the virus’ spread.
Wednesday, March 18th 2020 - 07:25 UTC
Why you need not worry about pets spreading Covid-19

By Sarah L. Caddy (*) – A Pomeranian dog in Hong Kong grabbed the international media's attention this week after scientists found traces of coronavirus in the canine. Following confirmation that the dog’s owner was positive for the virus causing COVID-19, the dog was taken from Hong Kong Island to a nearby animal quarantine facility. Subsequent tests performed on swabs collected from the dog’s nose and throat unexpectedly revealed coronavirus.
Wednesday, March 18th 2020 - 07:25 UTC
Whatever you call it, Beijing has made a mess of the Covid-19, 'China virus' and jinbu

By Gwynne Dyer – U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has run afoul of the language police. Last week, he called the coronavirus, which already has killed 0.000013 percent of the world’s population, the “Wuhan virus.” When challenged about this criminal violation of linguistic propriety, he just said it again. The World Health Organization (WHO) was shocked.