Stories for December 2020

Thursday, December 31st 2020 - 08:00 UTC
Australia's Antarctic Program MPV Everest scheduled to leave Hobart next 9 January

MPV Everest arrived in Hobart, Tasmania, on Wednesday to commence work for the Australian Antarctic Program, resupplying Australian stations and changing over personnel this summer.
Thursday, December 31st 2020 - 07:19 UTC
Labour supported Brexit accord, “a thin deal better than a chaotic no-deal rupture”, Keir Starmer

The House of Commons on Wednesday approved by an ample majority the EU/UK post Brexit deal, but this did not impede some lawmakers complain about being given only five hours in Parliament to scrutinize a deal that will mean profound changes for Britain’s economy and society.
Thursday, December 31st 2020 - 07:04 UTC
French truckers warn about red tape and “smart borders” as UK/EU deal customs becomes effective

Red tape, new “smart borders” that don't talk to one another and ill-prepared traders threaten border chaos, French truckers warned a day before Britain restores a hard frontier with Europe.
Wednesday, December 30th 2020 - 09:10 UTC
Argentina approves bill to legalize the voluntary interruption of pregnancy

Argentina's Senate voted to legalize elective abortion early Wednesday, marking a historic political shift in the heavily Catholic country and larger region.
Wednesday, December 30th 2020 - 08:52 UTC
Sophisticated Roman baths uncovered in Amman during building of a major drainage system

The discovery of the ruins of old Roman baths during the construction of a major drainage system in the heart of Jordan's capital has posed a dilemma: how to preserve the country's ancient past while providing for its modern future?
Wednesday, December 30th 2020 - 08:50 UTC
Brazil's industry confidence index in December reaches the highest level in ten years

Brazil's industry confidence rose 1.8 points in December to 114.9 points, reaching the highest level in more than 10 years, an economic research center said on Monday.
Wednesday, December 30th 2020 - 08:49 UTC
Employment situation in Brazil improving: two million find jobs

Brazil’s unemployment rate fell unexpectedly to 14.3% in the three months through October, official figures showed on Tuesday, the first decline this year as the number of people with jobs rose by almost 2 million from the prior three months.
Wednesday, December 30th 2020 - 08:24 UTC
WHO warns vaccines have yet to prove that they are effective at preventing Covid-19 transmission

Officials at the World Health Organization warned that the COVID-19 pandemic that has ravaged every corner of the world “is not necessarily the big one” — and that the novel coronavirus may never truly go away.
Wednesday, December 30th 2020 - 08:11 UTC
Coronavirus new variant “does not appear to cause more severe illness”, Public Health England

A new variant of the novel coronavirus does not appear to cause more severe illness than other variants, according to a matched study by Public Health England. Scientists say the new variant can spread more rapidity It was found in England in mid-December and led to other countries imposing travel restrictions to the United Kingdom. Several other countries have reported the variant.
Wednesday, December 30th 2020 - 08:10 UTC
Boris Johnson considering tougher measures extending tier 4 restrictions

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has approved placing more parts of the country into tier 4 restrictions, as the country battles a new variant of Covid-19 which scientists say can spread more rapidly, The Times reported.