Stories for May 8th 2020

Friday, May 8th 2020 - 09:28 UTC
Brazil expects beef exports to set a new record in 2020 in volume and value

Brazilian beef exports in 2020 will likely set a new record in terms of volume and value despite the novel coronavirus pandemic, Antônio Camardelli, president of beef group Abiec, said on Thursday.
Friday, May 8th 2020 - 09:23 UTC
Argentina's countdown to ninth default; some bondholders and IMF trust a last minute understanding

Argentina's Economy Minister Martin Guzman has given the country's biggest bondholders until this Friday to accept the offer he has put on the table to suspend payments until 2023 and reduce interest rates thereafter. One of the largest of those creditors, the investment management firm BlackRock, rejected Guzman's proposal and immediately presented a counteroffer.
Friday, May 8th 2020 - 09:16 UTC
Brazilian government anticipates food shortages and social disorder because of the lockdowns

Brazil could face “economic collapse” in a month's time due to stay-at-home measures to stem the coronavirus outbreak, with food shortages and “social disorder,” Economy Minister Paulo Guedes warned on Thursday.
Friday, May 8th 2020 - 08:59 UTC
International tourist arrivals could plunge 60/80% in 2020, the worst since 1950, WTO forecasts

The number of international tourist arrivals could plunge by 60 to 80% in 2020 owing to the coronavirus, the World Tourism Organisation, WTO, said on Thursday, revising its previous forecast sharply lower.
Friday, May 8th 2020 - 08:58 UTC
Falklands input to UK/EU Brexit trade negotiations to avoid a fait accompli

Lawmaker MLA Teslyn Barkman confirmed that work continues in London to ensure that any future Brexit agreement (UK leaving the EU) has input from the Falkland Islands.
Friday, May 8th 2020 - 08:55 UTC
Washington Post exposes links between US company and Venezuela opposition plot to capture and oust Maduro

Members of Venezuela’s opposition in October negotiated a US$ 213 million deal with a small Florida security company to invade the country and overthrow President Nicolas Maduro, according to a document published by the Washington Post on Thursday.
Friday, May 8th 2020 - 08:49 UTC
World Bank US$ 500 million loan to help Ecuador cover budget needs

The World Bank Board of Directors approved a flexible US$500 million loan to help cover Ecuador's budget needs during the Covid-19 emergency and to promote economic recovery. The loan is the second in a series of three Development Policy Financing (DPF) operations. The first loan of this series was disbursed in June 2019. The operation has been adapted to the current context and to the country’s needs during the pandemic.
Friday, May 8th 2020 - 08:45 UTC
Governor praises the admirable public sector of the Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands' Nigel Phillips, CBE, this week praised the response of the Public Service to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 and associated restrictions. Speaking at the daily Covid-19 update on Wednesday, Mr. Phillips said, “lockdown, as it has become known, can be difficult and the government has introduced a range of measures that are targeted to support individuals and businesses in these unprecedented times.
Friday, May 8th 2020 - 08:41 UTC
Madrid's top health official resigns over disagreement on easing lockdown measures

Madrid's top health official stepped down on Thursday after a reported disagreement with regional government requests to ease virus lockdown measures. Yolanda Fuentes resigned as Madrid's head of public health as the local authorities asked the central government to relax measures from Monday, a regional spokesman said.
Friday, May 8th 2020 - 08:39 UTC
Nearly a fifth of US children not getting enough to eat since pandemic outbreak

Nearly a fifth of young children in the United States are not getting enough to eat since the coronavirus pandemic erupted, according to research released on Wednesday, highlighting the broader health impact of the crisis.