Stories for March 2021

Wednesday, March 10th 2021 - 09:55 UTC
Austrian coalition will block EU/Mercosur trade accord if it goes against the European Green Deal

Austria’s coalition government has confirmed it will block the landmark EU-Mercosur trade agreement – which should create the biggest free-trade area in the world – saying it goes against the EU’s environmental ambitions set out in the European Green Deal.
Wednesday, March 10th 2021 - 09:30 UTC
Honduran president accused of assisting to smuggle tons of cocaine into the US

Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez was accused on Tuesday of assisting a drug trafficker smuggle tons of cocaine into the US. Assistant US Attorney Jacob Gutwillig made the claim during his opening statement at the trial of accused drug trafficker Geovanny Fuentes Ramirez.
Wednesday, March 10th 2021 - 09:30 UTC
UK/EU controversy over “vaccine nationalism” and exports bans

European Council President Charles Michel on Tuesday rejected charges of “vaccine nationalism” leveled against the EU, saying that while Britain and the United States have outright bans on exports of COVID-19 shots, the EU had not stopped exporting.
Wednesday, March 10th 2021 - 09:20 UTC
European Parliament votes to lift immunity to Catalan leaders, wanted by Spanish justice

The European Parliament voted on Tuesday in favor of lifting immunity from the former leader of Spain's Catalonia region, Carles Puigdemont. Lawmakers also waived immunity for Toni Comin, the former Catalan health minister, and former regional education minister Clara Ponsati.
Wednesday, March 10th 2021 - 09:20 UTC
Brazilian Supreme Court divided on overturning graft convictions of Lula da Silva

The Brazilian Supreme Court was divided on Tuesday on overturning graft convictions of ex-president Lula da Silva, which could definitively clear his name ahead of a possible 2022 presidential election if he decides to run.
Wednesday, March 10th 2021 - 08:49 UTC
International Women's Day was particularly defiant and even violent in Latin America

Tens of thousands on Monday defied coronavirus restrictions, gathering worldwide on International Women's Day to denounce gender violence and inequalities.
Wednesday, March 10th 2021 - 08:49 UTC
Chinese foreign trade booming in the first two months of 2021

China's total goods imports and exports expanded 32.2% year on year to 5.44 trillion Yuan (some US$ 838.16 billion) in the first two months of 2021, sustaining growth momentum in previous months, official data showed. Exports jumped 50.1% while imports rose 14.5% in Yuan terms, according to the General Administration of Customs (GAC).
Wednesday, March 10th 2021 - 08:46 UTC
Global economy forecasted to grow 5,6% this year if vaccination rollout is effective

Global gross domestic product (GDP) will grow at 5.6% this year if vaccination rollout is fast and effective enough across the world, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said Tuesday in its Interim Economic Outlook.
Wednesday, March 10th 2021 - 08:34 UTC
Inflation in China falls 0,2% in February; pork prices drop 14,9% year on year

China's consumer price index (CPI), a main gauge of inflation, fell 0.2% in February from a year earlier, paving the way for China's steady economic recovery in the post-COVID era as the price trend kept stable, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS.
Wednesday, March 10th 2021 - 08:34 UTC
Countries and airlines discuss “health passports” hoping to re launch travel

From digital certificates to “health passports”, countries and airlines across the globe are hoping to re-launch travel by letting people prove their Covid-free status. But with patchy vaccine access around the world and mounting concerns over data privacy, questions are swirling about how the measures will work in practice.