Stories for May 2020

Saturday, May 16th 2020 - 07:57 UTC
IMF calls on digital companies' responsible behavior as the “big winners from the pandemic”

The technology companies that are reaping gains as a result of increased reliance on online systems during coronavirus quarantines and lockdowns should work to increase access to the digital economy for all, the head of the IMF said on Friday.
Saturday, May 16th 2020 - 07:56 UTC
Brazilian indigenous groups at risk of decimation because of the coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic has hit 38 indigenous groups in Brazil, raising fears for populations that have a history of being decimated by outside diseases, the Brazilian Indigenous Peoples' Association (APIB) said on Friday.
Saturday, May 16th 2020 - 07:55 UTC
Bolsonaro's erratic administration keeps Brazilian corporations from issuing fresh bonds

As Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro kept his name in the headlines over the last weeks by firing ministers and attacking governors, the Supreme Court and Congress, investors fretted over the prospect of a political crisis on top of the coronavirus pandemic.
Saturday, May 16th 2020 - 07:54 UTC
Trump set to restore partial funding for WHO, to similar level of China's contribution

US President Donald Trump's administration is set to restore partial funding to the World Health Organization (WHO), Fox News reported late on Friday, citing a draft letter.
Saturday, May 16th 2020 - 07:49 UTC
Lula fears Bolsonaro is steering Brazil to “chaos” and “genocide”

Former president Lula da Silva says he fears a “genocide” in Brazil because of fierce opposition to coronavirus containment measures by current President Jair Bolsonaro, whom he said should be impeached. Lula is a former union leader who fought Brazil's military dictatorship (1964-1985), then became one of the country's most popular presidents with an anti-poverty crusade.
Saturday, May 16th 2020 - 07:49 UTC
Britain-EU round of post Brexit talks end with scant progress

Britain and the European Union urged each other on Friday to give ground in talks over a post-Brexit trade deal or risk failure in tetchy exchanges after the latest bout of bargaining ended with scant progress.
Saturday, May 16th 2020 - 07:44 UTC
An icon of US retail industry, J.C. Penney filed for bankruptcy protection

J.C. Penney Co Inc filed for bankruptcy protection on Friday with plans to permanently close some stores and also explore a possible sale, making it the latest brick-and-mortar retailer to crumble as prolonged store closures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic drive a final stake through long-troubled businesses.
Saturday, May 16th 2020 - 07:31 UTC
Physicians call for funding WHO but also admit it is need of dire reform, free of political assaults

A plea to all governments to continue providing the World Health Organization, WHO, with sufficient funds has come from physician leaders from across the world.
Saturday, May 16th 2020 - 07:18 UTC
China calls on the US to “fulfill their financial obligations to the United Nations”

China on Friday issued a statement calling on all UN member states to “actively fulfill their financial obligations to the United Nations,” stressing that Washington owes the organization more than US$2 billion.
Friday, May 15th 2020 - 12:01 UTC
Chinese jigger which had escaped arrest, finally ordered by its company to turn in

A Chinese jigger which was illegally fishing in Argentine waters and escaped from a Coast Guard patrol vessel at the end of April, finally was turned in and is being escorted to Puerto Madryn where it will face charges, according to a release from the Argentine Coast Guard.