Stories for May 13th 2020

Wednesday, May 13th 2020 - 07:59 UTC
Chile yet to face the worst of the coronavirus outbreak, Piñera warns; Santiago health facilities on the verge of collapse

Chile is set to face the worst of the novel coronavirus outbreak in the coming weeks, President Sebastian Piñera said on Tuesday, as a sharp spike in cases and the southern hemisphere winter push its healthcare system to the limit.
Wednesday, May 13th 2020 - 07:55 UTC
Modest optimism Argentina and bondholders can strike a deal by 22 May

Argentine bonds jumped on Tuesday as the country’s government and creditors sought to strike a deal to restructure US$ 65 billion in foreign debt by May 22 after an initial deadline passed last week without a pact.
Wednesday, May 13th 2020 - 07:50 UTC
Brazil sends troops to the Amazon rainforest to combat deforestation

Brazil deployed thousands of soldiers to protect the Amazon rainforest this week, taking precautions to avoid spreading the novel coronavirus, as the government mounts an early response to surging deforestation ahead of the high season for forest fires.
Wednesday, May 13th 2020 - 07:49 UTC
Parana River embankment collapse hampers Argentina's grains exports

Ships transporting cargo from Argentina's Rosario grain hub through the Parana River are having to reduce their cargoes after a bank collapse obstructed the navigation channel, exporters have revealed.
Wednesday, May 13th 2020 - 07:49 UTC
US Congress demands Trump explain the botched “invasion” of Venezuela with two US citizens arrested

The head of a US congressional committee said on Tuesday he was asking President Donald Trump's administration for explanations over a mysterious botched “invasion” of Venezuela in which two Americans were arrested.
Wednesday, May 13th 2020 - 07:46 UTC
Guyana's second offshore facility FPSO on schedule for first oil in 2022

Liza Unity, an under-construction FPSO that will be Guyana's second offshore facility in production, remains on schedule for first oil in 2022, Hess Corp. announced. Guyana became an oil-producing nation in December 2019, when Exxon brought online the Liza Destiny FPSO.
Wednesday, May 13th 2020 - 07:37 UTC
Fed says US households will need more fiscal support and forecasts 20% unemployment

United States businesses and households are going to need more fiscal support to get through what will likely be a longer period of recovery from the coronavirus shutdown than initially expected, Federal Reserve policymakers said on Tuesday.
Wednesday, May 13th 2020 - 07:29 UTC
British researchers trying to crack one of coronavirus riddles: the deadly to mild range of the illness

British researchers will study the genes of thousands of ill COVID-19 patients to try to crack one of the most puzzling riddles of the novel coronavirus: why does it kill some people but give others not even a mild headache?
Wednesday, May 13th 2020 - 07:15 UTC
US budget deficit in April reaches a record US$ 738 billion: revenue down 55% and outlays up 161%

The United States on Tuesday reported a record US$738 billion budget deficit in April, as an explosion in government spending and a shrinking of revenues amid the novel coronavirus pandemic put it deep into the red.
Wednesday, May 13th 2020 - 07:07 UTC
Pope Francis praises nurses and calls for more investment in health care

Pope Francis praised the work of nurses around the world on Tuesday, saying the coronavirus crisis had shown how vital their service is, as he appealed to governments to invest more in healthcare.