Stories for October 2020

Monday, October 19th 2020 - 09:00 UTC
New Zealand manages to refloat half a pod of stranded pilot whales

More than a dozen pilot whales have died in New Zealand after becoming stranded on the country's North Island, the Department of Conservation said on Sunday.
Monday, October 19th 2020 - 09:00 UTC
Ardern's landslide victory means New Zealand's next parliament to be the most inclusive ever

New Zealand's next parliament is set to be the most inclusive ever, with several people of color, members from the rainbow communities and a high number of women. The ruling Labour Party was handed a resounding mandate in the election over the weekend, as voters rewarded Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for her decisive response to COVID-19.
Monday, October 19th 2020 - 08:32 UTC
China recovers in the third quarter but misses forecasts

China stepped up its economic recovery in the third quarter from the coronavirus shock but missed forecasts, pointing to continued challenges for one of the few drivers of global growth this year.
Monday, October 19th 2020 - 08:27 UTC
Brazil expects a 2020/21 record harvest with an estimated 268,7 million tons

Brazil expects its 2020-2021 grain harvest to beat the record set by the newly completed season by 4.2%, according to an initial forecast released by the state-owned National Supply Company (Conab).
Saturday, October 17th 2020 - 09:58 UTC
Argentine president confident in the ruling coalition unity to face challenges, despite signs of rifts

Argentina’s ruling coalition is showing signs of strain just 10 months into power, further complicating the nation’s challenge to climb out of a deep recession while President Alberto Fernandez’s popularity dives.
Saturday, October 17th 2020 - 09:57 UTC
Argentine economy minister confident it can maintain the current exchange rate policy

Argentine Economy Minister Martin Guzman said on Friday the country has the necessary instruments to maintain the current exchange rate policy, despite tumbling foreign reserves and a ballooning gap between the official and informal peso exchange rates.
Saturday, October 17th 2020 - 09:42 UTC
Dexamethasone, only therapeutic effective against Covid-19, WHO chief states

Currently, the drug dexamethasone is still the only therapeutic shown to be effective against the novel coronavirus for severe patients, the chief of the World Health Organization said Friday.
Saturday, October 17th 2020 - 09:00 UTC
World's largest meatpacker, Brazil's J&F, pleads guilty in US court on corruption charges

The owner of the world’s largest meatpacker pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court this week to paying nearly US$ 180 million in bribes to top Brazilian officials in exchange for state-backed financing used to go on a buying spree in the U.S.
Saturday, October 17th 2020 - 08:57 UTC
Brazilian iron ore exports increased 18,5% in September over a year ago; strong demand from China

Brazilian iron ore exports increased by 18.5% in September compared to the same period last year, to 37.86 million tons, after Vale increased the pace of production. The volume shipped last month is the biggest since December 2015, when Brazil exported a monthly record of 39.5 million tons, according to the Ministry of Industry, Foreign Trade and Services.
Saturday, October 17th 2020 - 08:52 UTC
Moody's cuts UK debt rating on recession, Brexit and lack of clear budget plans

Ratings agency Moody’s cut the United Kingdom’s debt rating on Friday over the huge economic hit from the coronavirus crisis, Brexit and the lack of clear budget plans from Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government.