Stories for January 2021

Tuesday, January 12th 2021 - 09:31 UTC
Secretary of State Pompeo re-designates Cuba as a “state sponsor of terrorism”

The outgoing president Donald Trump administration has re-designated Cuba as a “state sponsor of terrorism” in a move that hits the Castro dynasty island with new sanctions shortly before President-elect Joe Biden takes office.
Tuesday, January 12th 2021 - 09:26 UTC
US openly supports Guyana: joint coast guard exercise and visit of top Navy commander

The United States is doubling its support for Guyana in the territorial dispute with Venezuela, another flank in Washington's campaign to force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro out of power.
Tuesday, January 12th 2021 - 09:10 UTC
Germany and France blast the “digital oligarchy” for shutting out Trump from social media platforms

Germany and France surprisingly backed United States President Donald Trump after he was banned from social media platforms including Twitter and Facebook extending Europe's battle with big technology.
Tuesday, January 12th 2021 - 08:56 UTC
Ford after a century in Brazil, closes its three factories with a loss of 5,000 jobs

Carmaker Ford said on Monday losses exacerbated by the coronavirus epidemic and fiscal uncertainties would see it close its three factories in Brazil, where it has operated for a century, terminating some 5,000 jobs.
Tuesday, January 12th 2021 - 08:40 UTC
Experienced diplomat appointed by Biden as next CIA chief

President-elect Joe Biden on Monday announced William Burns as his pick to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, tapping a retired veteran diplomat who helped lead secret talks with Iran.
Tuesday, January 12th 2021 - 08:16 UTC
Beijing announces WHO team will arrive on Thursday to investigate origin of Covid-19 pandemic

The World Health Organization (WHO) will send experts to China on Thursday and work with Chinese peers to investigate the origin of COVID-19, said China's National Health Commission (NHC).
Tuesday, January 12th 2021 - 08:05 UTC
Taipei releases new passport which prominently displays the word TAIWAN

Taiwan has released a new passport and lawmakers and officials were among the people who lined up early to apply for the redesigned document, which prominently displays the word “Taiwan,” while minimizing the English name “Republic of China” (ROC).
Monday, January 11th 2021 - 09:56 UTC
Biden honored to have vice-president Pence attend the inauguration ceremony

US Vice-President Mike Pence will attend the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris, breaking ranks with President Donald Trump, who said that he wouldn't attend.
Monday, January 11th 2021 - 09:55 UTC
Algae blooms in the South West Atlantic caught on satellite images

In austral spring and summer, conditions in the South Atlantic off Patagonia often become just right for phytoplankton, and populations of the plant-like organisms explode into enormous blooms.
Monday, January 11th 2021 - 09:54 UTC
Portugal wants quick ratification of EU/Mercosur deal, but there are many objections

Portugal which last week took the rotating presidency of the European Union for six months as of January 1st, said that it will try to conclude the bloc’s free trade agreement with Mercosur, agreed in 2019 after two decades of negotiations that have not yet been finalized.