Stories for December 2020

Wednesday, December 9th 2020 - 08:47 UTC
EU/UK reach post-Brexit deal on Northern Ireland; Johnson meets EC head in Brussels

The European Union and UK have reached an unofficial agreement on post-Brexit trade with Northern Ireland and its land border to the EU. The deal is not tied to last-gasp trade talks, but could help grease the wheels. The co-chairs of the EU-UK joint committee on Tuesday announced an “agreement in principle” pertaining in large part to the Irish border issue.
Wednesday, December 9th 2020 - 08:42 UTC
Brazil records first case of Candida Auris, which poses “a serious threat to global health”

Brazil has recorded its first possible case of Candida Auris, a rare fungus that can cause drug-resistant infections and potential fatalities, the country's health ministry said on Tuesday.
Wednesday, December 9th 2020 - 08:38 UTC
“Quantum of the Seas” returns to port due to suspected Covid-19 case

Royal Caribbean cruise ship “Quantum of the Seas” has turned back on day three of a four-day cruise to nowhere due to a suspected Covid-19 case on board. The ship’s captain made an announcement over the public announcement system at about 2.45am on Wednesday, informing guests to remain in their rooms and adding that the ship would arrive in Singapore by about 8am.
Wednesday, December 9th 2020 - 08:20 UTC
Brazil imported 748,000 tons of soybeans in eleven months of 2020

Brazil soybean imports during November reached 122,000 tons, 20 times more than in November 2019 (6,000 tons). Purchases cost US$ 49.2 million, compared to the US$ 1.9 million spent a year earlier, as the average value of the ton purchased increased from US $328.8 to US$ 402.4, according to the Brazilian Foreign Trade Secretariat, SECEX.
Wednesday, December 9th 2020 - 08:05 UTC
Panda diplomacy survives current US/China confrontation

Giant pandas will remain at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington for another three years under an agreement reached with Chinese wildlife officials, the zoo said on Monday.
Wednesday, December 9th 2020 - 08:01 UTC
Venice off guard and under water as flood gates did not function on time

Venice was underwater on Tuesday as heavy rain and strong winds pushed into the lagoon city, catching the authorities off guard before they could activate the huge flood barriers that were rolled out two months ago.
Wednesday, December 9th 2020 - 08:00 UTC
Biden plans to nominate ex Iowa governor Vilsack as next agriculture secretary

United States president-elect Joe Biden plans to nominate former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack for agriculture secretary, Axios reported on Tuesday. Vilsack, who led the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under former President Barack Obama, could not immediately be reached. His spokeswoman, Regina Black, declined to comment “as an official announcement hasn't been made.”
Wednesday, December 9th 2020 - 08:00 UTC
India buys 1,6 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines, Novavax, Oxford and Sputnik

India has bought 1.6 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines, which is more than any other country, according to a global analysis. Using its massive manufacturing clout, the country purchased 500 million doses of the Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine candidate, one billion from the American company Novavax and 100 million doses of the Sputnik V candidate from Russia's Gamaleya Research Institute, said the USA-based Duke University Global Health Innovation Centre.
Tuesday, December 8th 2020 - 14:44 UTC
British granny 90, first person to receive the Pfizer Covid 19 vaccine: “Go for it”

Ms Margaret Keenan, the 90-year-old grandmother who became the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine outside of a trial in Britain on Tuesday, has a message for others: “Go for it” to beat the devastating disease.
Tuesday, December 8th 2020 - 14:26 UTC
Nepal and China agree that Mount Everest is 86cm higher: 8,848.86m

The highest point on Earth got a bit higher on Tuesday as China and Nepal finally agreed on a precise elevation for Mount Everest after decades of debate. The agreed height unveiled at a joint news conference in Kathmandu of 8,848.86m is 86cm higher than the measurement previously recognized by Nepal, and more than 4m above China's official figure.