Stories for 2020

Saturday, May 9th 2020 - 08:30 UTC
Dead cat in Catalonia tests positive for coronavirus

A cat belonging to a family in the Spanish region of Catalonia tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the professor who conducted an autopsy on the pet said on Friday. It did not die from the virus, however, but from a pre-existing respiratory condition fairly common among cats, said Professor Joaquim Segales of Catalonia's Animal Health Research Centre.
Saturday, May 9th 2020 - 08:25 UTC
South American football cool to FIFA's proposal of five substitutions per match

FIFA's decision to temporarily allow up to five substitutions per match to help cope with potential fixture congestion was met coolly in South America on Friday.
Saturday, May 9th 2020 - 08:22 UTC
Putin in a round of calls to Allies' and German leaders marks the 75th anniversary of the end of WW2

Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday spoke on the phone to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Saturday, May 9th 2020 - 08:03 UTC
On 75th anniversary of VE Day, Queen Elizabeth recalls the “never give up, never despair” message

Queen Elizabeth led tributes to veterans of World War Two recalling the “never give up, never despair” message of Victory in Europe Day 75 years ago as the coronavirus damped commemorations for the end of the war on the continent.
Saturday, May 9th 2020 - 07:59 UTC
Bolsonaro rules out raising gasoline taxes to support the ethanol industry

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro effectively ruled out raising gasoline taxes on Thursday, a blow to the ethanol industry which had asked for a gasoline tax hike to boost its competitiveness amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Saturday, May 9th 2020 - 07:56 UTC
Tougher visa guidelines for Chinese journalists in US

The United States issued a new rule on Friday tightening visa guidelines for Chinese journalists, saying it was in response to the treatment of US journalists in China, a shift that comes amid tensions between the two nations over the coronavirus global pandemic.
Friday, May 8th 2020 - 09:28 UTC
Brazil expects beef exports to set a new record in 2020 in volume and value

Brazilian beef exports in 2020 will likely set a new record in terms of volume and value despite the novel coronavirus pandemic, Antônio Camardelli, president of beef group Abiec, said on Thursday.
Friday, May 8th 2020 - 09:23 UTC
Argentina's countdown to ninth default; some bondholders and IMF trust a last minute understanding

Argentina's Economy Minister Martin Guzman has given the country's biggest bondholders until this Friday to accept the offer he has put on the table to suspend payments until 2023 and reduce interest rates thereafter. One of the largest of those creditors, the investment management firm BlackRock, rejected Guzman's proposal and immediately presented a counteroffer.
Friday, May 8th 2020 - 09:16 UTC
Brazilian government anticipates food shortages and social disorder because of the lockdowns

Brazil could face “economic collapse” in a month's time due to stay-at-home measures to stem the coronavirus outbreak, with food shortages and “social disorder,” Economy Minister Paulo Guedes warned on Thursday.
Friday, May 8th 2020 - 08:59 UTC
International tourist arrivals could plunge 60/80% in 2020, the worst since 1950, WTO forecasts

The number of international tourist arrivals could plunge by 60 to 80% in 2020 owing to the coronavirus, the World Tourism Organisation, WTO, said on Thursday, revising its previous forecast sharply lower.