Stories for April 2021

Wednesday, April 21st 2021 - 20:16 UTC
Paraguay redirects funds from binational electric plants to anticovid effort

Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benítez wants funds belonging to both binational hydroelectric plants, namely Itaipú and Yacyretá, redirected to the anticovid-19 effort and has instructed Directors Manuel María Cáceres and Nicanor Duarte Frutos to proceed accordingly.
Wednesday, April 21st 2021 - 09:45 UTC
First batch of Argentine-made Sputnik V vaccine delivered

Argentine laboratory Richmond Tuesday delivered the first batch of locally-produced Sputnik V vaccines against covid-19 to be sent to Russia's Gamaleya Institute for final validation, it was announced.
Wednesday, April 21st 2021 - 09:35 UTC
Anvisa asks STF for more time to decide on the use of Sputnik V in Brazil

While Argentina has already started trials to produce the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against covid-19, Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) has filed a petition before the Federal Supreme Court (STF) for additional time to evaluate a registration request for the very same immunization shot.
Wednesday, April 21st 2021 - 09:10 UTC
Thunberg donates € 120,000 to WHO, slams Bolsonaro for his approach at covid-19

Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg has donated € 120,000 to the World's Health Organization (WHO) to “buy anti-covid-19 vaccines, as part of the global effort for equitable access to vaccines for those most at risk,” it was announced.
Wednesday, April 21st 2021 - 08:51 UTC
US advises against travel to almost 80% of the countries in the world

The US State Department has updated its travel advisory system, listing almost 80% of the world's countries as “red” or “do not travel,” following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention given the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, it was announced.
Wednesday, April 21st 2021 - 06:32 UTC
Colombia, South Korea strengthen bilateral relations during Seoul envoy trip to Bogota

During his Bogota stop, South Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-Kun expressed his country's concerns over Japan's intentions to release the contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant, the Asian nation's Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday in a statement.
Wednesday, April 21st 2021 - 05:28 UTC
Queen Elizabeth II turns 95 while still in mourning

British Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21st, 1926. That means she is turning 95 today. But there will be no public celebrations in the aftermath of her husband, Prince Philip's death last week after 73 years of marriage.
Tuesday, April 20th 2021 - 23:28 UTC
Covid-19: Health official admits Argentina might need to extend restrictions beyond April 30

A high ranking official within Argentina's Health Ministry Tuesday hinted the current restrictions on circulation and business hours might need “to be extended” because of the spread of the coronavirus' second wave.
Tuesday, April 20th 2021 - 17:29 UTC
France to impose € 1,500 fine to South American travelers who skip quarantine

A ten-day mandatory quarantine for travellers arriving into France from South America, namely from Brazil, Argentina, Chile and French Guiana as well as from South Africa, shall be effective as of this coming Saturday, said French Secretary of State for European Affairs, Clément Beaune.
Tuesday, April 20th 2021 - 15:02 UTC
Big Pharma companies gross 152bn dollars since the beginning of the pandemic

Despite setbacks with patients dying or suffering from undesired side effects which led to the suspension of some vaccines in various countries, the market value of pharmaceutical companies continues to rise, having amassed 152 billion US dollars in profits since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, it was reported.