Stories for August 2020

Wednesday, August 19th 2020 - 09:58 UTC
Brazil approved human clinical trials for a potential Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine

Brazil approved on Tuesday human clinical trials for a potential COVID-19 vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson, the fourth candidate to trial in the Latin American country that has become key to the global race for a vaccine.
Wednesday, August 19th 2020 - 09:55 UTC
Falklands or Malvinas? Market-based referendum proposal

By Steve Hank (*) – On August 4, Argentina, the world’s biggest deadbeat, announced that it had reached a deal with its creditors on its US$ 65 billion worth of defaulted debt. The next day, the United Nations Decolonization Committee — the C24 — unanimously passed a resolution urging the United Kingdom and Argentina to resolve their differences over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. Or, are they the Malvinas?
Wednesday, August 19th 2020 - 09:54 UTC
Latam lost US$ 890 million in the second quarter and has laid off 30% of its pre-pandemic workforce

LATAM Airlines, South America's largest carrier, on Tuesday said it had laid off 12,600 employees since March - or almost 30% of its pre-coronavirus workforce - due to the pandemic that has upended the global travel industry. The company also reported a net loss of US$ 890 million for the second quarter.
Wednesday, August 19th 2020 - 09:40 UTC
Chile's GDP plunged 14,1% in the second quarter; mining the only positive sector

Chile's gross domestic product (GDP) plunged 14.1% in the second quarter, the Central Bank said on Tuesday, after the coronavirus pandemic mauled economic activity with the exception of the vital mining sector. Among the worst-hit sectors were manufacturing, construction and the hotel and restaurant sector. In the first quarter, the Chilean GDP had increased slightly by 0.2%.
Wednesday, August 19th 2020 - 09:21 UTC
Amazon indigenous protest demanding environment compensation from Brazilian government and improved Covid-19 care

Indigenous protesters in Brazil agreed on Tuesday to suspend their roadblock of a key highway amid a court battle but vowed to fight on for more help against COVID-19 and an end to deforestation.
Wednesday, August 19th 2020 - 09:19 UTC
Despite rumors, Brazilian economy minister has no intention of resigning

Brazil’s Economy Minister Paulo Guedes has no intention of resigning according to reports in the Sao Paulo media, in an attempt to quash rising speculation that political pressure for more public spending could force him to quit.
Wednesday, August 19th 2020 - 09:19 UTC
Some 21 million tons of micro plastic floating in the Atlantic ocean

There are 12-21 million tons of tiny plastic fragments floating in the Atlantic Ocean, scientists have found. A study, led by the UK's National Oceanography Centre, scooped through layers of the upper 200m of the ocean during a research expedition through the middle of the Atlantic.
Wednesday, August 19th 2020 - 09:15 UTC
“We need to prevent vaccine nationalism”, WHO chief Tedros

Nations that hoard possible COVID-19 vaccines while excluding others will deepen the pandemic, World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday, issuing a last-ditch call for countries to join a global vaccine pact.
Wednesday, August 19th 2020 - 09:10 UTC
Mapuche leader on hunger strike reaches understanding with Chilean government

A Chilean indigenous leader who has spent more than 100 days on hunger strike over his detention during the coronavirus pandemic has agreed to end it after negotiations with the government, the justice minister said on Tuesday.
Wednesday, August 19th 2020 - 09:09 UTC
Biden becomes Democratic presidential candidate; strong support from elder statesmen and opinion polls

Joe Biden has been officially anointed the Democratic presidential candidate at the party's convention, helped over the line with some glowing testimonials from elder statesmen. Two Democratic former US presidents, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter, and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, a Republican, endorsed Mr. Biden.