Stories for December 2020

Thursday, December 3rd 2020 - 09:48 UTC
Joe Biden said he would pursue policies targeting China’s “abusive practices”

Joe Biden will not immediately cancel the Phase 1 trade agreement that President Donald Trump struck with China nor take steps to remove tariffs on Chinese exports, the New York Times on Wednesday quoted the U.S. president-elect as saying.
Thursday, December 3rd 2020 - 09:47 UTC
2020 on course to be one of the three warmest years ever recorded

This year is on course to be one of the three warmest ever recorded and could even top the record set in 2016, the United Nations said on Wednesday. The past six years, 2015 to 2020, are therefore set to make up all six of the hottest years since modern records began in 1850, the UN's World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said in its provisional 2020 State of the Global Climate report.
Thursday, December 3rd 2020 - 09:46 UTC
Putin orders to begin mass voluntary vaccination against Covid-19 next week

President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian authorities on Wednesday to begin mass voluntary vaccinations against Covid-19 next week as Russia recorded 589 new daily deaths from the coronavirus.
Thursday, December 3rd 2020 - 09:40 UTC
Ecuador expects the economy to grow 3,1% next year following an 8,9% contraction

Ecuador’s central bank said it expected the country’s economy to expand by 3.1% in 2021, following an 8.9% contraction in 2020 due to a plunge in crude prices and the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Thursday, December 3rd 2020 - 09:40 UTC
PM Johnson admits to be vaccinated on television show, “but will not jump the queue”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson might be persuaded to take a COVID-19 vaccination on television to show it is safe but he would not have one before those in greater need, his press secretary said on Wednesday.
Thursday, December 3rd 2020 - 09:40 UTC
Armed bank robbers storm mid-size city in northern Brazil and loot the local bank; second strike in two days

A large gang of heavily armed bank robbers invaded the Brazilian city of Cameta just one day after a similar force struck another mid-sized city on the opposite side of the country, taking residents hostage as they looted a bank.
Thursday, December 3rd 2020 - 09:39 UTC
RRS Sir David Attenborough delivered, BAS readies for intensive training and Arctic ice trials next year

Britain’s new polar ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, has been handed over from Cammell Laird shipyard to the Natural Environment Research Council, NERC. Operated by British Antarctic Survey (BAS), the new polar ship will transform UK research in the polar regions. Its missions will be critical for understanding and making sense of our changing climate.
Thursday, December 3rd 2020 - 09:32 UTC
US expects to have immunized 100 million people against Covid-19 by March

The United States hopes to have immunized 100 million people against Covid-19 by the end of February, a top official said on Wednesday, which is approximately 40% of the country's adult population.
Thursday, December 3rd 2020 - 09:25 UTC
China becomes the EU's top trade partner, ahead of US in nine months of 2020

China pushed past the United States in the third quarter to become the European Union's top trade partner, as the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the US while Chinese activity rebounded.
Thursday, December 3rd 2020 - 09:00 UTC
RRS James Clark Ross in South Georgia after seven weeks sailing

The RRS James Clark Ross has arrived at King Edward Point, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, after seven weeks sailing south from the UK. For the staff disembarking at King Edward Point, this represents the culmination of a journey that started in quarantine in the UK in October to enable safe travel.