Stories for April 2020

Saturday, April 4th 2020 - 09:18 UTC
Chaos in Argentine banks as crowds tried to collect government assistance

Argentines left their homes in droves as banks reopen their branches to give out government assistance. Thousands of pensioners and citizens who receive government welfare lined up outside banks to get their monthly payments. Branches, which have been closed since a nationwide lockdown began March 20, reopened Friday so that citizens who can't receive the payments on debit could receive the cash.
Saturday, April 4th 2020 - 09:05 UTC
Moody's downgrades Argentina's credit rating

Moody's downgraded Argentina’s credit rating on Friday, cutting it to Ca from Caa2 in a move that reflects the firm’s expectation that private creditors will incur losses as a result of the government’s efforts to restructure its sovereign debt.
Saturday, April 4th 2020 - 08:45 UTC
Falklands reports first Covid 19 positive result: MPA member with no ventilator and in stable condition

The Falkland Islands government announced on Friday the first positive result of the Covid 19 virus. The case was confirmed following the reception of virus results returned from the UK, via the Airbridge.
Saturday, April 4th 2020 - 08:36 UTC
Ecuador's health system has collapsed: bodies of dead in the streets of Guayaquil

The authorities in Ecuador have collected at least 150 bodies of people who died due to the coronavirus from the streets and homes of Guayaquil, the main port city in the country. The latest data reveals that there have been at least 3,100 have tested positive for COVID-19.
Saturday, April 4th 2020 - 08:30 UTC
Covid-19 pandemic: Brazilians have greater trust in the Health than in president Bolsonaro

Brazilians feeling frustrated with president Jair Bolsonaro are turning to another voice for guidance and reassurance. Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta has emerged from relative obscurity with technocratic daily briefings presenting the latest science, stressing the need for social distancing measures and earning praise from across the political spectrum.
Saturday, April 4th 2020 - 08:20 UTC
World Medical Association deplores lack of sufficient personal protection for health professionals

Leaders of the World Medical Association have described as ‘deplorable’ the fact that even in the world’s most affluent countries, health care professionals are having to deal with the coronavirus pandemic with insufficient personal protection. And they say that when the pandemic ends, there must be a political investigation into the availability and effectiveness of supply chains.
Saturday, April 4th 2020 - 08:18 UTC
Record unemployment filing in US in two weeks; “economy has slipped into recession”

The number of Americans filing claims for unemployment benefits shot to a record high of more than 6 million last week as more jurisdictions enforced stay-at-home measures to curb the coronavirus pandemic, which economists say has pushed the economy into recession.
Saturday, April 4th 2020 - 08:15 UTC
US aircraft carrier captain relieved for leaking info of Covid-19 cases in the Navy

The U.S. Navy relieved the commander of the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, who wrote a scathing letter that leaked to the public asking for stronger measures to control a coronavirus outbreak onboard his warship.
Saturday, April 4th 2020 - 08:10 UTC
Pandemic: Paraguay receives US$ 20 million to support its health system

The World Bank Board of Directors approved today a loan of US$20 million to support Paraguay in strengthening its health system in the face of the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19). In the context of the country's current health situation, already affected by the worst dengue outbreak in recent years, the project will help strengthen the already overburdened health system through the purchase of medical supplies and equipment.
Saturday, April 4th 2020 - 08:08 UTC
World Bank US$ 35 million emergency loan for Argentina to combat coronavirus

The World Bank Board of Directors today approved a US$ 35 million emergency loan to support the Argentine government efforts to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health system through the procurement of medical supplies and equipment. This financing forms part of a World Bank fast track package of up to US$ 14 billion to help countries cope with the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.