Stories for September 22nd 2020

Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 08:57 UTC
EU conditions ratification of trade deal with Mercosur: France and Germany lead objections

The European Union expects a clear commitment from Mercosur countries, particularly Brazil, that it will respect the sustainability issues included in the EU/Mercosur trade agreement, before any deal is ratified.
Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 08:51 UTC
Latin American countries plan to join WHO's virus vaccine COVAX; ask for more time to sign

Brazil and Argentina, Latin American nations seeking more time to commit to the global COVID-19 vaccine facility known as COVAX, said they intend to so as soon as possible after missing Friday’s deadline.
Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 08:50 UTC
US imposes more sanctions on Iran and Maduro, and demands Europe follows suit

The United States said on Monday it was imposing sanctions on Iran's defense ministry and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro under a contested UN authority and demanded that Europe follow suit.
Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 08:34 UTC
Petrobras faces unexpected challenges in its attempt to sell refineries

Brazilian oil company Petrobras said on Monday it will open another round of bidding for its Repar refinery in the state of Parana after receiving binding offers that were too similar in value.
Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 08:31 UTC
Mexican court unfreezes bank account of company blacklisted by US for trading with Venezuela

Mexican court has unfrozen the bank accounts of a local company blacklisted by the United States for trading in oil with Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA despite US sanctions, Mexico's anti-money laundering unit said.
Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 08:30 UTC
Trump admits he was prepared to adjust the dollar exchange rate to combat China's Yuan

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday revealed he was rebuffed when he asked officials to adjust the exchange rate of the dollar to counteract what he described as repeated currency manipulation by China of its Yuan.
Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 08:29 UTC
Chinese embassies in Suriname and Guyana accuse Pompeo of smearing Beijing

China's embassies to Suriname and Guyana accused US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of “spreading rumors” and “smearing” Beijing, after Washington's top diplomat criticized Chinese companies during a four-stop South America tour.
Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 08:27 UTC
Mexico confirms 700,000 coronavirus cases, but admits true figures are higher

Mexico’s confirmed coronavirus caseload rose past 700,000 on Monday, according to updated data from the health ministry officials, along with a reported death toll of 73,697.
Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 08:24 UTC
A Catholic anti-abortion and an American Cuban Barbara Lagoa, two possible candidates to succeed liberal icon Ginsburg

US President Donald Trump raced on Monday to cement a conservative majority on the US Supreme Court before the Nov 3 election, telling reporters he planned by Saturday to reveal his pick to succeed liberal icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 08:22 UTC
A third of some 270 pilot whales stranded on Tasmania sandbar have died

Rescuers were trying to refloat hundreds of whales stranded on a sandbar off the remote west coast of the Australian island of Tasmania on Tuesday, hoping to end one of the country’s worst beaching events.