Stories for April 29th 2020

Wednesday, April 29th 2020 - 09:41 UTC
Uruguay and Argentina presidents discuss the future of Mercosur

Uruguayan president Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou and his Argentine peer, Alberto Fernandez held a half-hour video conference Tuesday mid-morning to address the recent decision by the current Argentine administration to freeze Mercosur free trade negotiations with potential new partners and instead concentrate efforts in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic and its sanitary, social, economic and employment consequences.
Wednesday, April 29th 2020 - 09:36 UTC
Ozone layer hole over the Arctic has closed and has been linked to Europe's warmest winter

The largest hole ever observed in the ozone layer over the Arctic has closed, says Copernicus' Atmospheric Monitoring Service. Scientists spotted signs in late March of a rare hole forming and it was thought to be the result of low temperatures at the north pole.
Wednesday, April 29th 2020 - 07:59 UTC
Brazil Supreme Court authorizes investigation of President Bolsonaro for alleged interference with the federal police

A Supreme Court judge authorized an investigation of allegations that Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro tried to interfere in the work of the country’s federal police force for political motives, the top court said on its website.
Wednesday, April 29th 2020 - 07:56 UTC
Argentina's debt restructure haircut proposal “is not enough” and will have to be revisited, says ex IMF economist

Argentina’s latest effort to restructure its overseas debt probably won’t be its last, according to ex IMF advisor and Harvard University economist Carmen Reinhart, who has sounded alarms overcoming emerging markets crises in Venezuela and Turkey.
Wednesday, April 29th 2020 - 07:55 UTC
Mercosur beef sales to US on the rise, as American abattoirs are closing amid coronavirus complications

Brazil's giant meatpacker Marfrig Global Foods CEO, Miguel Gularte, said the company has resumed sales of fresh beef to the US following a decision by US authorities to open their market to Brazilian beef. American slaughterhouses have been closing amid coronavirus social distancing rules and this has led to unmet demand within the US.
Wednesday, April 29th 2020 - 07:54 UTC
Argentine Coast Guard chases Chinese jigger operating in the country's EEZ

The Argentine Coast Guard was finally unable to arrest a Chinese jigger operating in the country's EEZ, which managed to escape into international waters, the so-called mile 201. According to the force's report, the patrol vessel GC-27 “Prefecto Fique”, early Tuesday detected and pursued the jigger Lu Rond Yuan Yu 668, some 390 kilometers offshore Puerto Madryn.
Wednesday, April 29th 2020 - 07:51 UTC
Major US airlines will implement new health and safety measures to protect crew and passengers

Major US airlines announced this week's new health and safety measures to protect in-flight personnel and passengers from COVID-19, even as states begin lifting restrictions. In a memo to employees, Delta Airlines said that from Tuesday, “all employees and partners” will be required to wear masks in case they cannot maintain social distancing.
Wednesday, April 29th 2020 - 07:50 UTC
Top Democrats Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi endorse Biden's White House bid

Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton endorsed Joe Biden's White House bid on Tuesday (Apr 28), saying he is the type of “leader” the United States needs during the current coronavirus crisis.
Wednesday, April 29th 2020 - 07:49 UTC
Strenuous exercise by athletes makes their lungs more COVID-19 vulnerable, warns scientific research

Research from Germany and Italy suggests that footballers and other athletes face a particular risk of the coronavirus infecting their lungs, raising major questions over attempts to restart professional soccer.
Wednesday, April 29th 2020 - 07:49 UTC
Bolsonaro confirms appointment of a close family friend as Brazil's top cop

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday named a family friend to head the federal police, days after his justice minister quit, and accused the president of meddling in law enforcement for political motives.