Politics

• 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.

• 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 - 08:01 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.”