Politics

• Wednesday, May 13th 2020 - 07:59 UTC

  Chile yet to face the worst of the coronavirus outbreak, Piñera warns; Santiago health facilities on the verge of collapse

  

  Chile is set to face the worst of the novel coronavirus outbreak in the coming weeks, President Sebastian Piñera said on Tuesday, as a sharp spike in cases and the southern hemisphere winter push its healthcare system to the limit.

• Wednesday, May 13th 2020 - 07:55 UTC

  Modest optimism Argentina and bondholders can strike a deal by 22 May

  

  Argentine bonds jumped on Tuesday as the country’s government and creditors sought to strike a deal to restructure US$ 65 billion in foreign debt by May 22 after an initial deadline passed last week without a pact.

• Wednesday, May 13th 2020 - 07:50 UTC

  Brazil sends troops to the Amazon rainforest to combat deforestation

  

  Brazil deployed thousands of soldiers to protect the Amazon rainforest this week, taking precautions to avoid spreading the novel coronavirus, as the government mounts an early response to surging deforestation ahead of the high season for forest fires.

• Wednesday, May 13th 2020 - 07:49 UTC

  US Congress demands Trump explain the botched “invasion” of Venezuela with two US citizens arrested

  

  The head of a US congressional committee said on Tuesday he was asking President Donald Trump's administration for explanations over a mysterious botched “invasion” of Venezuela in which two Americans were arrested.

• Wednesday, May 13th 2020 - 07:37 UTC

  Fed says US households will need more fiscal support and forecasts 20% unemployment

  

  United States businesses and households are going to need more fiscal support to get through what will likely be a longer period of recovery from the coronavirus shutdown than initially expected, Federal Reserve policymakers said on Tuesday.

• Wednesday, May 13th 2020 - 07:15 UTC

  US budget deficit in April reaches a record US$ 738 billion: revenue down 55% and outlays up 161%

  

  The United States on Tuesday reported a record US$738 billion budget deficit in April, as an explosion in government spending and a shrinking of revenues amid the novel coronavirus pandemic put it deep into the red.

• Tuesday, May 12th 2020 - 09:00 UTC

  Argentina extends debt negotiations deadline to “increase participation” and “better alternatives”

  

  Argentina will extend negotiations over a US$ 65bn debt restructuring proposal until May 22, the government said in the official gazette on Monday. The extension sets the stage for tense last-ditch talks as Argentina races to avoid default.

• Tuesday, May 12th 2020 - 08:54 UTC

  Falklands' civilian population with no Covid-19 cases; normal return to schools and nurseries

  

  Given the successful compliance of self-isolation and social distancing and other measures implemented by the Falkland Islands Government, FIG, the civilian population of the Islands remains with no positive cases of coronavirus, according to the Monday situation report.

• Tuesday, May 12th 2020 - 08:50 UTC

  Bolsonaro declares gyms and salons as essential services

  

  Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Monday declared gyms and hair salons as essential services that can stay open through the new coronavirus outbreak, easing measures to control the disease despite new cases and deaths surging in the country.

• Tuesday, May 12th 2020 - 08:40 UTC

  Colombia's national airline, Avianca, has filed for bankruptcy protection in a US court.

  

  Avianca is the second-largest carrier in Latin America, but its passenger operations have been grounded since March because of coronavirus. It said the pandemic had cut more than 80% of its income, and it was struggling with high fixed costs.