Stories for April 2020

Monday, April 20th 2020 - 08:32 UTC
Chile: controversy over alleged donation of Chinese ventilators to combat COVID-19

Chile is expecting China to donate ventilators to help cope with the coronavirus outbreak, a government official said on Sunday, contradicting earlier statements by China's ambassador to Chile that he was unaware of such a shipment.
Monday, April 20th 2020 - 07:41 UTC
US lawmakers ask payroll assistance for local newspapers and broadcast stations

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers called on Sunday for expanding payroll assistance to struggling local newspapers and broadcast stations that have seen advertising revenue plummet during the coronavirus pandemic.
Monday, April 20th 2020 - 07:39 UTC
US oil falls to below US$ 15 a barrel and Brent dropped to US$ 27

US crude fell about 20% to below US$15 a barrel on Monday, its lowest level in about two decades, as a coronavirus-triggered collapse in demand eclipsed a deal to cut output. West Texas Intermediate, the US benchmark, fell 18.7% to US$14.84 a barrel. Brent crude, the international benchmark, was off 1.5% at US$27.64 a barrel.
Monday, April 20th 2020 - 07:37 UTC
Brazilian central bank estimates economy will begin to recover in the fourth quarter

Brazil's central bank president Roberto Campos Neto said this weekend that Latin America's largest economy will begin to recover from the coronavirus crisis in the fourth quarter, according to an interview in local media.
Monday, April 20th 2020 - 07:28 UTC
People in Washington state protest the governor's 'stay at home' order

An estimated 2,500 people rallied at the Washington state capitol on Sunday to protest Democratic Governor Jay Inslee’s stay-at-home order to limit the spread of COVID-19, defying a ban on gatherings of 50 or more people. The move follows similar actions in several states that took place on Saturday.
Monday, April 20th 2020 - 06:51 UTC
Norwegian Cruise Line exploring financial options including sale of a stake

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd has hired investment bank Goldman Sachs Group Inc to explore financing options that could include the sale of a stake in the company, according to a report filed by Reuters.
Saturday, April 18th 2020 - 19:56 UTC
Argentina and Brazil trying to lift the water level of the Parana River, in the heartland of the soy belt

The governments of Argentina and Brazil are in talks to release water from the giant Itaipu Dam with a view to topping up the Parana River, where ebbing levels are conspiring against a US$ 20-billion-a-year crop export business.
Saturday, April 18th 2020 - 18:55 UTC
Falklands Government unveils comprehensive COVID-19 support package

The Falkland Islands Government announced on Friday a suite of new measures to assist businesses, private sector employees and households as they adjust to the economic effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Saturday, April 18th 2020 - 16:42 UTC
Bolsonaro defends sacking health minister and insists in opening up the economy

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday defended his decision to restart economic activity in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, after sacking his health minister over differences in how to tackle the disease.
Saturday, April 18th 2020 - 11:40 UTC
World Medical Association regrets Taiwan exclusion from WHO and condemns politicizing health

In a letter to WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the leaders of the World Medical Association, WMA say that the WHO’s failure to listen to early warnings from Taiwan about the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with its decision to ignore Taiwan during much of the SARS crisis, were errors that led to the world paying a high price.