Stories for March 2020

Wednesday, March 25th 2020 - 08:54 UTC
Some of the things Covid 19 can be expected to change

By Gwynne Dyer – They teach you in journalism school never to use the phrase “…X has changed the world forever”. Or at least they should. Covid-19 is certainly not going to change the world forever, but it is going to change quite a few things, in some cases for a long time. Here’s eight of them, in no particular order.
Wednesday, March 25th 2020 - 08:37 UTC
Announced US stimulus plan helps a slight recovery of oil prices

Oil rose over 3% on Tuesday after the U.S. Federal Reserve said it would take steps to bolster the economy and on growing hopes the United States will soon reach a deal on a US$ 2 trillion coronavirus economic package.
Wednesday, March 25th 2020 - 08:35 UTC
Cruise vessel Zaandam prevented from disembarking in Chilean ports

A cruise ship with more than 1,800 people aboard - including 42 complaining of flu-like symptoms - was prevented from docking in Chile due to fears over the coronavirus.
Wednesday, March 25th 2020 - 08:30 UTC
Bolsonaro calls Xi and defuses spat; Beijing pledges to help Brazil combat Covid 19

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro laid to rest a diplomatic spat with China in a call with President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, with the two agreeing to work together to fight coronavirus as Brazil’s largest city went into lockdown.
Wednesday, March 25th 2020 - 08:25 UTC
Los Angeles reports first death of teenager to Covid 19, despite good health condition

The first known death of a child due to COVID-19 in the United States was a teenager in previously good health, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said on Tuesday.
Wednesday, March 25th 2020 - 08:24 UTC
On request from Trump, South Korean medical equipment and expertise to fight coronavirus

South Korea said it will send medical equipment to the United States to fight the coronavirus if it has any spare after an urgent request from US President Donald Trump in which he promised to help Korean firms gain US government approval.
Wednesday, March 25th 2020 - 07:55 UTC
Drug gangs impose a strict curfew in Rio do Janeiro's favelas to combat “the disease of the rich”

The “baile funk” dance parties have been called off. Some open-air drug markets are closed for business. Gangs and militias have imposed strict curfews. Coronavirus is coming, and Rio de Janeiro's lawless favelas are gearing up for the onslaught.
Wednesday, March 25th 2020 - 07:52 UTC
Trump wants to loosen the economy's lockdown by Easter: “US is not built to shut down”

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday he wants to loosen the coronavirus lockdown in the United States and restart the economy within three weeks, calling social distancing measures too disruptive.
Wednesday, March 25th 2020 - 07:42 UTC
Japan reorganizing the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as a testament to the defeat of the new virus in 2021

Japan on Wednesday started the unprecedented task of reorganizing the Tokyo Olympics after the historic decision to postpone the world's biggest sporting event due to the coronavirus pandemic that has locked down one-third of the planet.
Wednesday, March 25th 2020 - 07:17 UTC
Leo Messi and Pep Guardiola donate a million Euros each to combat Covid 19

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola have each donated one million Euros (US$1.08 million) towards the fight against coronavirus.