Stories for December 19th 2020

Saturday, December 19th 2020 - 10:00 UTC
UK leads Global Ocean Alliance to turn 30% of oceans into Marine Protected Areas by 2030

Some thirty countries have now joined the Global Ocean Alliance championing an international commitment for a minimum 30% of the global ocean to be protected through Marine Protected Areas by 2030.
Saturday, December 19th 2020 - 09:50 UTC
Argentina asks Portugal to consider the Falklands a litigation issue and not a British Overseas Territory

Argentina and Portugal foreign ministers agreed on a fluid dialogue and standing contact during the next six months to address bilateral issues, the Mercosur/European Union trade deal and the Falklands/Malvinas question.
Saturday, December 19th 2020 - 09:50 UTC
A68a iceberg heading for South Georgia shifts direction and loses a chunk of mass

Strong currents have taken hold of a massive Antarctic iceberg that is on a collision course towards South Georgia Island, causing it to shift direction and lose a major chunk of mass, a scientist tracking its journey said on Friday.
Saturday, December 19th 2020 - 09:45 UTC
Moderna vaccine receives FDA approval: 5,9 million shots to be distributed this weekend

Moderna Inc's coronavirus vaccine on Friday became the second to receive emergency use authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, welcome news to a nation with a staggering COVID-19 death toll of over 307,000 lives lost.
Saturday, December 19th 2020 - 09:40 UTC
Chilean president fined US$ 3,500 after posing for a selfie without a face mask

Chilean President Sebastian Piñera was slapped with a US$ 3,500 fine on Friday after posing for a selfie on the beach with a bystander without wearing a mask as required during the coronavirus pandemic, health authorities said.
Saturday, December 19th 2020 - 09:30 UTC
Brazilian senate approves bill facilitating purchase of rural properties by foreign companies

The Brazilian Senate unexpectedly approved a bill this week to facilitate the purchase and leasing of rural properties in Brazil by foreign nationals or foreign companies. The legislation must be approved by the lower house of Congress before the president can sign it into law.
Saturday, December 19th 2020 - 09:19 UTC
Pfizer complains of vaccine price confidentiality breach in Belgium parliament

U.S. drugmaker Pfizer complained of a breach of confidentiality after a politician in Belgium published on Thursday the price per dose of COVID-19 vaccines ordered by the country, according to a Belgian newspaper.
Saturday, December 19th 2020 - 09:10 UTC
Chicago aquarium celebrates Rockhopper penguin Wellington, 33th birthday

For a penguin to make it to age 33, a lot of things have to break right. Predator avoidance. Good genes. And, sometimes, cataract surgery. And this was part of the longevity recipe for Wellington, Chicago's Shedd Aquarium’s oldest and best-known rockhopper penguin, which marked the milestone birthday on Friday as a guest of honor at an 8:30 a.m. Facebook Live event.
Saturday, December 19th 2020 - 09:05 UTC
US record imports from China in 2020, despite Trump administration's tariffs

Despite the Trump administration's tariffs on Chinese goods and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. imports from China are surging as the year 2020 draws to a close, The New York Times reported.
Saturday, December 19th 2020 - 09:05 UTC
Mercedes Benz luxury car production in Brazil will shut down

German automaker Mercedes Benz said this week that it would wind down car production in Brazil, shutting down its small factory dedicated to producing luxury vehicles in the city of Iraccemapolis, costing some 370 jobs.