Stories for March 1st 2021

Monday, March 1st 2021 - 08:59 UTC
The Biden administration has no immediate plans to review sanctions on Venezuela and Cuba

The new administration of president Joe Biden is in “no rush” to lift U.S. sanctions on Venezuela but would consider easing them if President Nicolas Maduro takes confidence-building steps showing he is ready to negotiate seriously with the opposition, according to White House sources.
Monday, March 1st 2021 - 08:58 UTC
Argo Pereira off to the Falklands for the squid season, after 16 days in Montevideo

The Red Ensign trawler Argos Pereira finally left on Saturday evening for the Falkland Islands to begin the squid season after spending 16 days in Montevideo because of an outbreak of Covid 19 on board, as reported by the Uruguayan Chamber of Foreign Fishing Vessels Agents, CAPE.
Monday, March 1st 2021 - 08:55 UTC
Coronavirus “Manaus” variant detected in UK: three in England, three in Scotland

A coronavirus “variant of concern” first detected in Brazil has now been found in the UK. Three cases have been detected in England and separately three in Scotland. In England, officials are still trying to track down one of those who tested positive for the new variant.
Monday, March 1st 2021 - 08:45 UTC
Heathrow to levy an extra £8.90 to departing passengers in an effort to cover pandemic costs

London's Heathrow airport will charge departing passengers an extra £8.90 in an effort to claw back costs as the coronavirus crisis depresses air travel. The tariff is permitted by the UK's aviation regulator under a protocol that allows the hub to cover costs for utilities, baggage and check-in services.
Monday, March 1st 2021 - 08:44 UTC
People in Europe and US more willing to be vaccinated against Covid-19, survey

The tide is changing and willingness to get a Covid-19 vaccine is on the rise compared to last year, according to a survey of six industrialized countries published on Monday. More people in the United Kingdom, the United States and even vaccine-skeptical France now accept the idea of getting a coronavirus jab, KekstCNC, an international consultancy, said in the survey conducted in February.
Monday, March 1st 2021 - 08:34 UTC
Facebook will pay US$ 650 million for illegally collecting biometric data to identify faces

A US federal judge has given final approval to Facebook's US$650 million payment to settle a privacy dispute between the California group and 1.6 million users in the US state of Illinois. The decision was issued on Friday.
Monday, March 1st 2021 - 08:34 UTC
Brazilian ranchers strongly oppose the import of live cattle from neighboring Paraguay

Brazilian meat-packers has asked the agriculture ministry for authorization to import live cattle from Paraguay, bur farmers organizations have strongly criticized the initiative. The request to import live cattle from Paraguay, made by a trade group based in Mato Grosso do Sul, which borders Paraguay, comes as Brazil's cattle availability has fallen in recent months due to strong demand from meat processors.
Monday, March 1st 2021 - 08:34 UTC
AstraZeneca sells 7,7% interest in Moderna for a billion US dollars

AstraZeneca Plc has sold its 7.7% stake in Moderna Inc for more than a billion US dollars after the U.S. biotechnology company's shares soared on the back of its coronavirus vaccine breakthrough, The Times reported.
Monday, March 1st 2021 - 08:34 UTC
First totally designed and manufactured Brazilian satellite Amazon-1, successfully launched from India

A Brazilian Earth observation satellite soared to space aboard an Indian rocket late Saturday along with 18 passenger satellites from the United States and India. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launch, which carried Brazil's Amazonia-1 satellite into orbit, lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India.
Monday, March 1st 2021 - 08:34 UTC
More than 20 million people in UK have been given at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine

More than 20 million people in the UK have been given at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, the country's Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced on Sunday evening. Government figures revealed that 20,089,551 people from a population of some 66 million had been administered a jab.