Stories for 2020

Friday, July 24th 2020 - 08:07 UTC
US has the highest rate of virus cases in the world: 2,600 every hour on average

United States coronavirus cases topped 4 million on Thursday, with over 2,600 new cases every hour on average, the highest rate in the world. Infections in the US have rapidly accelerated since the first case was detected on Jan. 21.
Thursday, July 23rd 2020 - 11:38 UTC
Longliner returning to NZ from Falklands forced to comply with “bubble” when they reach home

The crew and passengers of the New Zealand San Aotea II longline fishing trawler, making their way back from the Falkland Islands, will be forced to spend up to four days onboard the vessel once it reaches Timaru to satisfy Covid-19 regulations.
Thursday, July 23rd 2020 - 09:56 UTC
Brazilian president again tests positive and must extend quarantine two week more

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has again tested positive for the new coronavirus, his office announced on Wednesday, saying he would extend his two-week quarantine and suspend upcoming travel plans.
Thursday, July 23rd 2020 - 09:55 UTC
Venezuela reacts furiously at US decision to put a prize reward for Chief Justice accused of corruption

Venezuela's government blasted a US$5 million US reward offer for information leading to the arrest of the country's Supreme Court president, likening it to something out of the Wild West.
Thursday, July 23rd 2020 - 09:54 UTC
Falklands: 80 days with no coronavirus positive tested cases; 14 days quarantine for all arriving passengers

The Falkland Islands government, FIG, reported on Wednesday that 1816 coronavirus tests have been processed, with no positive results received for over eighty days. FIG also announced new quarantine guidance issued to arriving passengers. In effect following the introductn of Quarantine Regulations a new document is being issued to provide simple guidance on how to meet the requirements of quarantine.
Thursday, July 23rd 2020 - 09:54 UTC
Chilean private pensions' funds divestment anticipates major political challenge for the Piñera administration

Chilean senators on Wednesday voted to approve a controversial bill that allows citizens to withdraw 10% of their pension savings to help ease the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
Thursday, July 23rd 2020 - 09:47 UTC
Pompeo confided to UK lawmakers that China had “bought” the head of WHO post

US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo told a group of British lawmakers that China had “bought” the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), according to reports in the British media and news agencies.
Thursday, July 23rd 2020 - 09:38 UTC
Covid-19 deaths and infections in Texas force the contracting of refrigerated trucks to store bodies

Texas on Wednesday set one-day records for increases in COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations in the state, forcing one county to store bodies in refrigerated trucks and prompting a top health official there to call for new stay-at-home orders.
Thursday, July 23rd 2020 - 09:37 UTC
Argentina joins Pacific coastal nations to combat IUU fishing

Argentine specialized media is reporting that OPRA, a regional cooperation agreement, Organization for the Protection of Fisheries Resources in the South Atlantic has signed an accord with their Pacific counterpart, Calamasur, which is a Committee for the Sustainable Management of the giant squid in the South Pacific.
Thursday, July 23rd 2020 - 09:03 UTC
Brazil with new daily record of virus cases: 1,284 deaths and 67,860 infections

Brazil recorded a new daily record of coronavirus cases on Wednesday with nearly 68,000 infections, a sign COVID-19 is still far from being brought under control in the hard-hit country.