Politics

• Friday, March 27th 2020 - 08:59 UTC

  Falklands suspends schools, nurseries and play-parks until 4 May

  

  The Falkland Islands government, FIG, is stepping up its response measures to COVID- 19 after it was confirmed that the King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) is currently treating a critically ill child. Chief Executive Barry Rowland said that although it has not been confirmed, it is suspected that the child has contracted Coronavirus. Under the new phase of the response, schools, nurseries, and play-parks will close as of Friday 27 March and will not re-open until at least the start of the new term on 4 May.

• Friday, March 27th 2020 - 08:52 UTC

  Xi calls Trump to improve bilateral ties; offers to help combat coronavirus

  

  Chinese President Xi Jinping told US President Donald Trump during a phone call on Friday that he hopes the United States will take substantive action to improve bilateral ties, China's foreign ministry said.

• Friday, March 27th 2020 - 08:51 UTC

  Britain has ordered 10.000 ventilators from vacuum cleaner company Dyson

  

  Britain has placed an emergency order of 10,000 ventilators designed at breakneck speed by bag-less vacuum cleaner company Dyson, the first fruits of an industry-wide call to arms to prepare for the looming peak of the coronavirus outbreak.

• Friday, March 27th 2020 - 08:21 UTC

  Norway's sovereign fund has lost US$ 124 billion because of the pandemic markets collapse

  

  Norway's sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, has lost 1.33 trillion Norwegian crowns (US$124 billion) so far this year as stock markets have plunged due to the coronavirus pandemic, it said on Thursday.

• Friday, March 27th 2020 - 08:06 UTC

  Falklands eases recruitment process for temporary employment

  

  The Falkland Islands government, FIG, announced this week that in order to help ease pressure on local businesses Executive Council had approved measures to ease the recruitment process for temporary employment.

• Thursday, March 26th 2020 - 18:16 UTC

  Falkland Islands: New stage in Government COVID-19 response

  

  The King Edward Memorial Hospital is currently dealing with a critically ill child, who is suspected to have COVID-19. Until this is confirmed by test, this remains a matter of clinical judgment. As a result of this, the Falkland Islands Government is moving its response to the next stage, in accordance with our Infectious Disease Plan and other preparations. Our thoughts go out to the child, the child’s family and friends.

• Thursday, March 26th 2020 - 08:55 UTC

  Bolsonaro clashes with governors over lockdowns: “they are destroying Brazil”

  

  President Jair Bolsonaro on Wednesday blasted as criminals the governors and mayors of Brazil’s largest states and cities for imposing lockdowns to slow the coronavirus outbreak, as tensions with his health minister simmered. The death toll rose to 57 from 46 while confirmed cases rose to 2,433 from 2,201 the day before.

• Thursday, March 26th 2020 - 08:44 UTC

  South American countries agree to ensure smooth flow of goods and food supplies in the region

  

  Agriculture ministers from various South American countries participated in a video conference on Monday, March 23, to discuss harmonization of standards and ensure the smooth flow of goods and food supplies throughout the region during the Coronavirus pandemic.

• Thursday, March 26th 2020 - 08:40 UTC

  Spain extends state of emergency two weeks after it reported 783 deaths in one day

  

  Spain extended its state of emergency for two more weeks to allow the government to extend stringent lockdown measures in a desperate attempt to contain the coronavirus. Spain reported 738 new deaths in one day on Wednesday while Italy announced 683. The two countries have the highest fatality rate in the global pandemic.

• Thursday, March 26th 2020 - 08:27 UTC

  Argentina's “Children and youth protection project” receives US$ 300 million from World Bank

  

  The World Bank Board of Directors approved a new US$ 300 million operation to support Argentina’s efforts to strengthen its social protection system and minimize the impact of the crisis on the most vulnerable families.