Health & Science

Thursday, March 19th 2020 - 08:57 UTC
Pots and pans protest against Bolsonaro; Brazilian markets crash and Congress approves national emergency

The coronavirus outbreak hammered Brazil on Wednesday, crushing local markets, infecting more members of the country’s political elite and prompting loud protests against President Jair Bolsonaro, whose son waded into a diplomatic spat with China.
Thursday, March 19th 2020 - 08:47 UTC
Chile declares a 90-day “state of catastrophe” beginning this Thursday

Chilean President Sebastian Piñera on Wednesday declared a 90-day state of catastrophe as cases of the new coronavirus mounted in the nation, giving the government extraordinary powers to restrict freedom of movement and assure food supply and basic services.
Thursday, March 19th 2020 - 08:40 UTC
Brazilian government security advisor, a minister and the head of the Senate, self isolated with coronavirus

Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has so far escaped coronavirus contagion but his national security advisor, his mines and energy minister plus the Senate chief haven't been so lucky.
Thursday, March 19th 2020 - 08:25 UTC
Brazil central bank cuts benchmark rate 50 points to a record low of 3.75%

Brazil’s central bank on Wednesday cut its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points to a record-low 3.75% to cushion the economic blow of the coronavirus pandemic but signaled no rush to cut again and emphasized the need for more economic reforms.
Thursday, March 19th 2020 - 08:23 UTC
Mnuchin denies potential US unemployment of 20% but considers a US$ 2.000 stimulus check to every American

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Wednesday vowed that unemployment would not reach 20%, seeking to clarify comments he made a day earlier on a worst-case economic scenario resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
Thursday, March 19th 2020 - 08:20 UTC
Russian economy battered by the oil price war with Saudi Arabia

Russia, hit by falling oil prices and the coronavirus outbreak, has announced the formation of a US$4 billion fund as part of a package of measures to support the economy.
Wednesday, March 18th 2020 - 08:59 UTC
Falklands updates air and cruise ship advisory; recommends foreign nationals in the Islands to take Wednesday's Latam flight

The Falkland Islands Government has announced a new air travel advisory and outlined the terms on which it may assist cruise ships seeking to repatriate passengers. Likewise, it strongly recommends foreign nationals seeking to leave the Falklands to do so on Wednesday, March 18, LATAM flight.
Wednesday, March 18th 2020 - 08:58 UTC
Covid 19: Mercosur countries isolated from the world and among themselves

The number of Coronavirus cases tested positive are increasing significantly, in the exponential leg of the process, in Mercosur country members and in Chile. Brazil reported the first death, a 62 year old man in Sao Paulo with a medical record of high pressure and diabetes.
Wednesday, March 18th 2020 - 07:30 UTC
Bolsonaro asks Congress to declare state of emergency to free federal funds from spending caps

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro said on Tuesday his second coronavirus test was negative and his government asked Congress to authorize a state of emergency that would allow it to scrap fiscal targets and free up funds to combat the virus’ spread.
Wednesday, March 18th 2020 - 07:25 UTC
Why you need not worry about pets spreading Covid-19

By Sarah L. Caddy (*) – A Pomeranian dog in Hong Kong grabbed the international media's attention this week after scientists found traces of coronavirus in the canine. Following confirmation that the dog’s owner was positive for the virus causing COVID-19, the dog was taken from Hong Kong Island to a nearby animal quarantine facility. Subsequent tests performed on swabs collected from the dog’s nose and throat unexpectedly revealed coronavirus.