Stories for 2020

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.
Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 08:19 UTC
Madrid requests the Army's help to fight the surge of coronavirus in the capital

Madrid's regional government chief requested the army's help on Monday in fighting the coronavirus surge in the Spanish capital where local authorities ordered a partial lockdown of some poorer districts, prompting protests.
Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 08:16 UTC
Cyanobacteria neurotoxins killed more than 300 elephants in Botswana

Toxins in water produced by cyanobacteria killed more than 300 elephants in Botswana this year, officials said on Monday, announcing the result of an investigation into the deaths which had baffled and alarmed conservationists.
Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 08:00 UTC
Covid-19 contagion leads to the appointment of a Magallanes Region new governor

The Chilean government appointed Jennifer Rojas as new governor of the Magallanes and Antarctic Region, following the ousting of Jose Fernandez, who had been in the post since February 2019.
Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 07:54 UTC
United States rice for Brazil: 30,000 tons according to USDA

The United States reported last week the sale of 30,000 tons of rice to Brazil. This follows on the decision from the Brazilian Chamber of Foreign Trade (Camex) to slash tariffs on rice to zero, helping to reduce the price of the grain for consumers.
Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 07:48 UTC
Cruise giants team up and present a scientific report on control of the pandemic on ships; CDC decision this week

A panel of leading scientists and medical experts convened by two of the world's biggest cruise companies -- Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings -- has concluded that the public health risk associated with the pandemic can be controlled on a ship.
Monday, September 21st 2020 - 09:40 UTC
Chile announces protocol to vote in October's referendum: “no greater risk than going to the supermarket”

Chilean citizens planning to vote in a referendum on a new constitution next month will be at no greater risk of contracting coronavirus at the ballot box than they would be going to the supermarket, the head of the country’s electoral service said on Monday.
Monday, September 21st 2020 - 09:34 UTC
Barred Lula offers to back any candidate who can beat Jair Bolsonaro

Former Brazilian president Lula da Silva has offered to back any candidate who can beat far-right President Jair Bolsonaro in the upcoming 2022 elections. Lula is currently barred from seeking elected office as he is fighting two criminal convictions for graft that bar him from running. He can run himself if he is able to overturn the convictions, but he also faces five further indictments.
Monday, September 21st 2020 - 09:30 UTC
In honor of Justice Bader Ginsburg, donors smash fundraising records: US$ 90 million in 24 hours

Democratic donors smashed fundraising records after the death on Friday of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, funneling more than US$90 million to candidates and progressive groups in just over 24 hours.
Monday, September 21st 2020 - 09:29 UTC
UN marks 75th anniversary with video conferences, because of Covid-19

The United Nations will mark its 75th anniversary on Monday, celebrating the mantra that “multilateralism is not an option but a necessity”, even as COVID-19 underscores the fragility of international cooperation.