Stories for 2020

Thursday, March 26th 2020 - 08:25 UTC
Pandemic: total lockdown in Colombia; Chile extends schools closure until May

Countries across Latin America tightened measures on Wednesday to halt the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus, with more lockdowns and school closures as well as increased aid to the region's poorest.
Thursday, March 26th 2020 - 08:21 UTC
Falklands testing ground for satellite system that could revolutionize mobile connectivity

A new satellite system that could revolutionize mobile connectivity has been tested successfully, setting a new world record in the process, according to its inventor. Tyghe Spiedel is the co-founder of Lynk, a company that builds very small satellites designed to communicate with standard mobile phones.
Thursday, March 26th 2020 - 08:01 UTC
World Bank and IMF call on bilateral creditors to suspend payments from poor countries

The World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund have issued the following joint statement to the G20 concerning debt relief for the poorest countries:
Wednesday, March 25th 2020 - 08:56 UTC
Pandemics: Bolsonaro and governors clash over priorities, the economy and jobs or public health

Brazil's largest city of Sao Paulo began fifteen days of lockdown to fight the spread of the coronavirus on Tuesday. This after Brazil's own president, Jair Bolsonaro, has faced fierce criticism for his blasé treatment to combat the threat, which he describes as a quote “little flu.”
Wednesday, March 25th 2020 - 08:55 UTC
YPF admits gasoline demand is down 70% and diesel 50%

Argentine state-run oil company YPF has already seen a drop in energy consumption because of a nationwide mandatory quarantine over the coronavirus announced last Friday, a company executive said in an internal video obtained by La Nacion on Tuesday and confirmed by the company.
Wednesday, March 25th 2020 - 08:54 UTC
Some of the things Covid 19 can be expected to change

By Gwynne Dyer – They teach you in journalism school never to use the phrase “…X has changed the world forever”. Or at least they should. Covid-19 is certainly not going to change the world forever, but it is going to change quite a few things, in some cases for a long time. Here’s eight of them, in no particular order.
Wednesday, March 25th 2020 - 08:37 UTC
Announced US stimulus plan helps a slight recovery of oil prices

Oil rose over 3% on Tuesday after the U.S. Federal Reserve said it would take steps to bolster the economy and on growing hopes the United States will soon reach a deal on a US$ 2 trillion coronavirus economic package.
Wednesday, March 25th 2020 - 08:35 UTC
Cruise vessel Zaandam prevented from disembarking in Chilean ports

A cruise ship with more than 1,800 people aboard - including 42 complaining of flu-like symptoms - was prevented from docking in Chile due to fears over the coronavirus.
Wednesday, March 25th 2020 - 08:30 UTC
Bolsonaro calls Xi and defuses spat; Beijing pledges to help Brazil combat Covid 19

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro laid to rest a diplomatic spat with China in a call with President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, with the two agreeing to work together to fight coronavirus as Brazil’s largest city went into lockdown.
Wednesday, March 25th 2020 - 08:25 UTC
Los Angeles reports first death of teenager to Covid 19, despite good health condition

The first known death of a child due to COVID-19 in the United States was a teenager in previously good health, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said on Tuesday.