Stories for February 17th 2021

Wednesday, February 17th 2021 - 09:10 UTC
Scandal and frustration in Peru: 487 officials secretly received early Covid-19 vaccines

Peruvian interim president announced Monday night that 487 officials took part in the so-called “vacunagate” by taking advantage of their privileged positions to secretly receive early inoculations of a Chinese coronavirus vaccine that the government then bought for doctors and other health workers battling the pandemic. The list includes the former ministers of foreign affairs and health and the former president.
Wednesday, February 17th 2021 - 09:07 UTC
Uruguay and Paraguay presidents meet to address Mercosur issues in an open agenda

Uruguay and Paraguay presidents, Luis Lacalle Pou and Mario Abdo Benítez will be holding an “open agenda” meeting on Wednesday in the Uruguayan international seaside resort of Punta del Este, where the Paraguayan leader arrived late Tuesday.
Wednesday, February 17th 2021 - 09:01 UTC
Argentina's death toll, 50,432; batch of AstraZeneca vaccine from India expected Wednesday

Argentina on Tuesday reported 4,003 new COVID-19 cases and 106 deaths in the past 24 hours, raising the total caseload to 2,033,060 and the death toll to 50,432, the health authorities said. Since the first case was detected on March 3, 2020, some 1,838,291 people infected with the virus have recovered, the health ministry added.
Wednesday, February 17th 2021 - 08:48 UTC
Majority of Europeans favor protection of Brazilian Amazon, before EU ratifies Mercosur trade deal

A new poll shows that the grand majority of Europe’s people favors implementing effective protections of the Brazilian Amazon, ending deforestation there, before the EU agrees to ratify the free trade agreement with Mercosur (composed of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay).
Wednesday, February 17th 2021 - 08:48 UTC
Re-wilding Project: the Jaguar has returned to South America wetlands after 70 years

The largest predator in South America, the jaguar, has returned to the Iberá wetlands in Argentina 70 years after the species was driven to local extinction through hunting and habitat loss. Currently, only about 200 jaguars remain in Argentina.
Wednesday, February 17th 2021 - 08:42 UTC
Brazilian city suspends vaccination campaign because of insufficient doses

Rio de Janeiro suspends Covid-19 vaccination campaign until next week because the Brazilian city has run out of doses, Mayor Eduardo Paes announced. “I have been informed that the new doses did not arrive. We will have to interrupt our campaign from Tuesday,” Paes wrote on Twitter.
Wednesday, February 17th 2021 - 08:42 UTC
Bolsonaro seeks Israeli developed nasal spray against Covid-19, recommended by his “good friend” Netanyahu

President Jair Bolsonaro said the Brazilian government would seek emergency use authorization for an Israeli-developed nasal spray against Covid-19 that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as a “miracle” treatment.
Wednesday, February 17th 2021 - 08:25 UTC
Good news for Chile, copper price soaring on Chinese demand

Good news for Chile. The price of the country's main export, copper, reached this week its highest international value in eight years and nine months, at US$ 3,81 the pound, according to the latest reports from the London Metal Exchange.
Wednesday, February 17th 2021 - 08:24 UTC
Cruise lines will require vaccinations for crew members and passengers

The Cyprus-based British cruise line Swan Hellenic is the next in a growing number of cruise lines that has stated it will be making vaccinations a requirement for all crew members on board.
Wednesday, February 17th 2021 - 08:07 UTC
Jaguar will be all electric by 2025

Jaguar Land Rover's Jaguar brand will be all-electric by 2025, the carmaker announced. The company will launch electric models of its entire Jaguar and Land Rover line-up by 2030, it added.