Stories for 2020

Wednesday, April 1st 2020 - 07:35 UTC
Crude oil benchmarks open April overshadowed by fears of global oversupply

Crude oil benchmarks opened the month mixed on Wednesday, following their biggest-ever quarterly and monthly losses, overshadowed by fears of global oversupply as data showed a bigger-than-expected rise in inventories in the United States.
Wednesday, April 1st 2020 - 07:18 UTC
“Corona is no joke”: several countries warn that April Fool's Day pranks will be punished with jail

From Thailand to India, countries have told people not to make April Fools' Day pranks related to COVID-19, with some threatening jail time as they seek to prevent the spread of rumors which could put lives at risk. Tech giant Google, which is famous for its annual spoofs, has canceled the tradition because of the pandemic which has killed about 40,000 people worldwide.
Wednesday, April 1st 2020 - 07:08 UTC
UK scientists develop virus symptom tracker of patients losing sense of smell and taste

Losing your sense of smell and taste may be the best way to tell if you have COVID-19, according to a study of data collected via a symptom tracker app developed by British scientists to help monitor the pandemic caused by the new coronavirus.
Wednesday, April 1st 2020 - 07:04 UTC
A British 13-year old boy dies in London testing positive for COVID-19

A 13-year-old British boy has died days after testing positive for COVID-19, hospital officials and his family said on Tuesday with relatives saying he had no underlying illnesses. The boy, who died Monday at King's College Hospital in London, is believed to be Britain's youngest confirmed death in the coronavirus pandemic.
Wednesday, April 1st 2020 - 06:55 UTC
Brazilian supermarkets in Sao Paulo to hire 5.000 temporary workers

Brazilian supermarkets are planning to hire 5,000 temporary workers in Sao Paulo’s metropolitan region, the most severely affected by the coronavirus outbreak, to meet higher demand from consumers and replace employees under quarantine, according to the local association that represents the sector, Apas.
Tuesday, March 31st 2020 - 12:58 UTC
Foreign debt must wait: “the pandemic and Argentines' health are priorities”

Honoring foreign debt will have to wait because given the coronavirus pandemic priority is now the health of the Argentines, said president Alberto Fernandez on Monday, adding he would not let local companies fire o declare workers redundant.
Tuesday, March 31st 2020 - 12:45 UTC
Argentina expected to make a symbolic US$ 225 million interest payment

Argentina will layout “guideposts” this week for a restructuring of its nearly US$70 billion in foreign debt, but the country is not yet ready to make a formal proposal to creditors, according to political sources in Buenos Aires.
Tuesday, March 31st 2020 - 12:24 UTC
Argentine jigger fleet begins operating north of parallel 44o. as of April first

Argentine jiggers will begin operating north of parallel 44o on April first, following on a decision from the Fisheries Under Secretariat chief, Carlos Liberman. The Fisheries Federal Council is impeded of meeting because of the coronavirus pandemic rules imposed in Argentina. Anyhow the decision was taken based on a report from the Inidep research institute.
Tuesday, March 31st 2020 - 11:48 UTC
The ordeal of the Zaandam: Florida state is rejecting to receive any passengers

United States Senator Rick Scott is calling for protective measures for Floridians ahead of the Holland America’s Zaandam and Rotterdam expected arrival at Port Everglades.
Tuesday, March 31st 2020 - 11:44 UTC
Taiwan complains of WHO discrimination and information restriction

The World Health Organization (WHO) has not shared with member states information Taiwan has provided on the coronavirus including details on its causes and prevention methods, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday, ratcheting up its complaints.