Stories for April 2020

Saturday, April 18th 2020 - 10:00 UTC
Where to watch WHO’s global special concert ‘One World: Together At Home’

From Eddie Vedder to Andrea Bocelli, and Paul McCartney to Maluma, artists from all over the world will play on the “One World: #TogetherAtHome,” a six-hour streamed and broadcasted music festival that will take place on Saturday organized by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Saturday, April 18th 2020 - 08:56 UTC
Overwhelmed by the pandemic, Ecuador on the cliff of a US$ 17bn default

The coronavirus outbreak in Ecuador is increasing pressure on President Lenin Moreno to default on US$ 17 billion in debt and devote more resources toward fighting a pandemic that has left bodies in the streets of the nation’s largest city.
Saturday, April 18th 2020 - 08:41 UTC
Raab says China has some “hard questions” to answer about the coronavirus epidemic

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says China will have some “hard questions” to answer about how the coronavirus pandemic started.
Saturday, April 18th 2020 - 08:30 UTC
Beijing's advance in UN organizations as Trump's US gives up its predominance

As President Donald Trump announces a halt in World Health Organization funding, accusing it of kowtowing to China over the coronavirus outbreak, Beijing is building on a well-established strategy of leveraging its global standing wherever the US lets go of the wheel.
Saturday, April 18th 2020 - 08:20 UTC
British Horseracing Authority announces a £22 million aid package for jockeys and horses' welfare

The British Horseracing Authority announced on Friday a £22 million (US$27.5 million) aid package in response to the financial impact of the coronavirus. All racing in Britain was suspended on Mar 17 following the spread of COVID-19, with the shutdown made “indefinite” on Wednesday as a hoped-for resumption on Apr 30 was ruled out.
Saturday, April 18th 2020 - 08:15 UTC
“Italy and Brazil: ex World Cup '82 rivals united against the coronavirus”

They were rivals on the field in one of the greatest World Cup matches of all time but the former stars of Brazil and Italy have come together off it to help the South American nation fight the new coronavirus.
Friday, April 17th 2020 - 09:59 UTC
Argentina sets out its debt restructuring proposal to private creditors with a sizeable cut (62%) of interest payments

Argentina sketched out its debt restructuring proposal to international creditors on Thursday, involving a three-year grace period, large coupon cuts and a smaller reduction in capital, as it looks to win over bondholders to a deal.
Friday, April 17th 2020 - 09:58 UTC
The Falklands' tourist season that fell off the cliff

The 2019/20 tourist season is likely to be remembered as, “the one that fell off the cliff in March,” summed up Falkland Islands Tourist Board Executive Director Steph Middleton this week. But despite the impact of the pandemic it wasn’t all bad up until then confirmed, Mrs. Middleton and other industry members.
Friday, April 17th 2020 - 09:57 UTC
Taiwan reveals emails warning WHO of disease in December; Dr. Tedros replies accusing Taipei of a hate racist campaign

The coronavirus pandemic has infected over two million people and has caused the reported death of at least 144,250 deaths according to the latest info available from the the John Hopkins University daily update.
Friday, April 17th 2020 - 09:42 UTC
China's economy contracts 6,8% in Jan/March quarter, first time since 1992

China’s economy shrank for the first time since at least 1992 in the first quarter, as the coronavirus outbreak paralyzed production and spending, raising pressure on authorities to do more to stop mounting job losses.