Stories for April 2020

Tuesday, April 28th 2020 - 08:17 UTC
Antarctica's Rothera new wharf becomes operational and is waiting for RRS Sir David Attenborough

A new £40 million wharf to moor the RRS Sir David Attenborough has been used by polar ships for the first time at British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station in Antarctica to transport staff and materials back to the UK.
Tuesday, April 28th 2020 - 08:16 UTC
Argentina and Chile defuse diplomatic spat; Santiago accused Fernandez of “meddling” in Chilean affairs

The leaders of Argentina and Chile have moved to defuse a recent diplomatic spat after officials in Santiago accused President Alberto Fernandez of “meddling” in Chile's internal affairs after he met with Chilean opposition leaders.
Tuesday, April 28th 2020 - 08:03 UTC
Argentina's EEZ “flooded” by Chinese jiggers catching tons of squid

The Association of Argentine Fishing Industry Chambers has sent an urgent open letter to president Alberto Fernandez complaining about the illegal activity of almost a hundred foreign jiggers in the country's EEZ.
Tuesday, April 28th 2020 - 07:17 UTC
Trump and Putin recall 75th anniversary of the “Spirit of the Elbe”

US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin issued a rare joint statement over the weekend commemorating a 1945 World War Two link-up of US and Soviet troops on their way to defeat Nazi Germany as an example of how their countries can cooperate.
Tuesday, April 28th 2020 - 07:12 UTC
Colombia's oil company raises funds in bonds market and plans to cut production

Colombia’s Ecopetrol said on Monday it raised US$ 2 billion through more than a doubly subscribed bond issue. Majority state-owned Ecopetrol issued 10-year paper due April 29, 2030, with a 7% yield.
Tuesday, April 28th 2020 - 06:55 UTC
“Brazil on the path to prosperity, not in the path of despair as Argentina and Venezuela”

“We're on another path, the path of prosperity, not in the path of despair”, said Brazilian economy minister Paulo Guedes when asked about Argentina's decision to partially abandon Mercosur. It was also an opportunity for president Jair Bolsonaro to openly express support for his the “super” minister, who seemed strongly weakened following the forced resignation of the other “super” minister Sergio Moro.
Tuesday, April 28th 2020 - 06:54 UTC
Brazil industrial confidence crashed to its lowest level in April

Brazilian industrial confidence crashed to its lowest level on record in April, a survey showed as the lockdowns and sudden halt to swathes of activity lashed Latin America’s largest economy.
Monday, April 27th 2020 - 07:59 UTC
Mercosur: Argentina only interested in block's negotiations with Europe

In the midst of the chaotic situation caused by the pandemic, the Argentine government announced the abandonment of Mercosur negotiations to prioritize the country’s domestic economy and the struggle against the virus. The rest of the bloc members must evaluate legal, institutional, and operational measures emerging from the decision.
Monday, April 27th 2020 - 07:58 UTC
Mandatory quarantine in Argentina has been expanded until May 10

Argentina will extend a mandatory nationwide quarantine period until May 10 in a bid to combat the advance of the coronavirus, President Alberto Fernandez announced on Saturday. The Argentine government-imposed shelter-in-place measure, in effect since mid-March, had been set to expire on Sunday.
Monday, April 27th 2020 - 07:50 UTC
Chilean navy acquires two 1990 Adelaide class frigates from Australia

Chile's Navy is preparing to sail two recently retired Australian warships out of Sydney after purchasing them in a deal believed to be worth more than US$ 70 million. Ex-Adelaide-class frigates HMAS Melbourne and HMAS Newcastle were quietly commissioned into their new service this month during a formal handover ceremony between both navies.