Stories for May 2020

Wednesday, May 6th 2020 - 08:38 UTC
Lover's visit to top UK scientist, breaking social distancing, forces his resignation

A top scientist who advised British leaders on COVID-19 lockdown measures said on Tuesday he had resigned from a key government panel after admitting to breaking the country's rules on social distancing.
Wednesday, May 6th 2020 - 08:20 UTC
US largest pork abattoir resumes limited production

Tyson Foods Inc will resume limited production at its largest U.S. pork plant this week, the company said late on Tuesday. Tyson Fresh Meats, the beef and pork subsidiary of Tyson Foods, had indefinitely suspended operations at the Waterloo, Iowa plant on April 22 to contain the rapid spread of the coronavirus.
Wednesday, May 6th 2020 - 07:25 UTC
UK overtakes Italy reporting the highest official death toll from coronavirus

The United Kingdom has overtaken Italy to report the highest official death toll from the new coronavirus in Europe, figures released on Tuesday showed, increasing pressure on Prime Minister Boris Johnson over his response to the crisis.
Wednesday, May 6th 2020 - 07:00 UTC
British new car sales slumped to its lowest level since February 1946

British new car sales slumped by an annual 97% in April to the lowest level of any month since February 1946 as factories and dealerships shut due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Tuesday, May 5th 2020 - 07:15 UTC
COVID-19 collapses Ecuador: 30,000 confirmed cases and no certainty on death toll

Ecuador on Monday exceeded 30,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, while the government launched a plan to start gradually relaxing quarantine measures that have been in place since mid-March. Ecuador has confirmed 31,881 cases of COVID-19, with 1,569 reported deaths and a further 1,336 deaths likely as a result of the virus.
Tuesday, May 5th 2020 - 07:14 UTC
Argentine patrol arrests Chinese jigger illegally fishing in the county's EEZ

The Argentine Navy sighted and arrested early Monday a Chinese jigger which was illegally operating in the country's EEZ. The report says that the ocean patrol vessel ARA Bouchard detected the Hong Pu 16, fishing with its Automatic Identification System turned off, but full lights on to catch squid.
Tuesday, May 5th 2020 - 07:13 UTC
Brazil indigenous leaders call on WHO to set an emergency fund to protect their communities

Indigenous leaders in Brazil have asked the World Health Organization (WHO) to set up an emergency fund to help protect their communities from the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.
Tuesday, May 5th 2020 - 07:02 UTC
Half of the world's workers in danger of losing livelihoods, ILO report

Half of the world's workers are in danger of having their livelihoods destroyed by the coronavirus pandemic, a United Nations agency has warned. The International Labour Organisation's updated analysis emphasizes its severe impact on people in informal work.
Tuesday, May 5th 2020 - 07:00 UTC
Surprise: Brazil's retailer industry finds a consolidated e-commerce sector as it gradually reopens

Brazil's battered retailers are starting to reopen after weeks of coronavirus lockdown but may exit the crisis transformed, with the e-commerce sector strengthened and brick-and-mortar chains facing an uphill path to normality.
Tuesday, May 5th 2020 - 06:58 UTC
US prepared to borrow a record US$ 3 trillion in second quarter; national debt soared above 100% of GDP

United States has said it wants to borrow a record US$ 3 trillion in the second quarter, as coronavirus-related rescue packages blow up the budget. The sum is more than five times the previous quarterly record, set at the height of the 2008 financial crisis.