Stories for October 2020

Saturday, October 10th 2020 - 09:15 UTC
Brazilian government cuts emergency cash transfers to help the poor withstand the pandemic

Many people in Brazil are struggling to cope with less pandemic aid from the government and jumping food prices, with millions expected to slip back into poverty. Brazil’s government, starting this month, halved the amount of its monthly emergency cash transfers to help Brazil’s poor withstand the hardship of the economic meltdown, down to 300 reais (US$54).
Saturday, October 10th 2020 - 08:55 UTC
Fitch confirms Uruguay's investment grade at BBB-, but warns about inflation, deficit and public debt

Fitch Ratings, one the world's leading credit rating agency has confirmed Uruguay's Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'BBB-', however with a Negative Outlook, despite the country faring much better than its neighbors.
Saturday, October 10th 2020 - 08:51 UTC
Twitter imposing tough new rules ahead of the US presidential election

Twitter is imposing tough new rules that restrict candidates from declaring premature victory and tighten its measures against spreading misinformation, calling for political violence, and spreading thoughtless commentary in the days leading up to and following the Nov 3 US election.
Saturday, October 10th 2020 - 08:37 UTC
Arrested para-military plotters planning to kidnap Michigan governor also targeted taking over the state

Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and her family were at times moved around by authorities as law enforcement tracked the men who allegedly plotted for months to kidnap her, the state's attorney general said on Friday.
Saturday, October 10th 2020 - 08:31 UTC
Spanish government ignores Madrid authorities and declares a lockdown on the 3,8 million people city

Spain's government invoked a state of emergency on Friday to reimpose a partial lockdown for several million people in and around Madrid, one of Europe's worst COVID-19 hotspots after a court had struck down the measures.
Saturday, October 10th 2020 - 08:27 UTC
Trump/Biden October 15 debate cancelled: campaigns have announced alternate plans for that date

The Oct 15 presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden will not proceed, the Commission on Presidential Debates said in a statement on Friday, adding that both campaigns had announced “alternate plans for that date.”
Saturday, October 10th 2020 - 08:19 UTC
Covid-19 disrupting mental health services in most countries, WHO survey finds

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted or halted critical mental health services in 93% of countries worldwide while the demand for mental health is increasing, according to a new WHO survey. The survey of 130 countries provides the first global data showing the devastating impact of COVID-19 on access to mental health services and underscores the urgent need for increased funding.
Friday, October 9th 2020 - 09:55 UTC
After rejecting Mercosur trade deal on climate demands, EU parliament votes to drastically cut greenhouse gases by 2030

European Union lawmakers have backed a plan to cut greenhouse gases by 60% from 1990 levels by 2030, hoping member states will not try to water the target down during upcoming negotiations.
Friday, October 9th 2020 - 09:51 UTC
Chilean scientists research possible mutation of coronavirus in Magallanes, a region closely linked to the Falklands

Scientists in Chile are investigating a possible mutation of the novel coronavirus in southern Patagonia, a far-flung region near the tip of the South American continent that has seen an unusually contagious second wave of infections in recent weeks.
Friday, October 9th 2020 - 09:49 UTC
More investigations into Petrobras corruption, this time involving bunker fuel contracts

Brazilian police expanded the Car Wash corruption investigation to alleged kickbacks valued at US$ 8 million on contracts for bunker fuel bought by state-run oil company Petrobras for its fleet of tankers.