Stories for 2021

Tuesday, March 2nd 2021 - 09:31 UTC
EU will formally propose a digital vaccination passport by end of March

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU executive would propose a digital vaccination passport later this month, she said on Monday. Members of the bloc will then decide whether to press ahead with the scheme to allow each other to recognize citizens' proof of vaccination.
Tuesday, March 2nd 2021 - 08:56 UTC
After all Americans have been vaccinated, US willing to discuss the issue with Mexico

Reuters – The Joe Biden administration downplayed the prospect of sharing coronavirus vaccines with Mexico, arguing it is focused on getting its own population protected against a pandemic that has killed more than 500,000 Americans.
Tuesday, March 2nd 2021 - 08:55 UTC
UK officials tracking one of six individuals affected with a Covid-19 Manaus variant

U.K. health officials are anxious to trace one of six individuals infected with a more contagious variant of the coronavirus, initially identified in Brazil. Up to six cases of the new strain — dubbed P.1 and considered a “variant of concern” by global health experts — have been detected in the U.K., with three cases in Scotland and three in England.
Tuesday, March 2nd 2021 - 08:53 UTC
WHO warns it is unrealistic to think the pandemic will be done by end of the year

The World Health Organization warned on Monday that it is unrealistic to think the world will be done with the Covid-19 pandemic by the end of the year. WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan said it might however be possible to take the tragedy out of the coronavirus crisis by reducing hospitalizations and deaths.
Tuesday, March 2nd 2021 - 08:53 UTC
Venezuela has 323 “political detainees” in jail, mostly awaiting trial

Venezuela’s Penal Forum estimates that Nearly three-quarters of all political detainees are awaiting trial for more than two years, the group said on Monday, arguing it is a sign that authorities use pretrial detention as a punishment.
Tuesday, March 2nd 2021 - 08:20 UTC
Successful first flight test of pilotless fighter jet, a Boeing and Australian Air Force project

Boeing Co and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) said on Tuesday they had completed the first flight test on a pilotless fighter-like jet designed to operate in conjunction with crewed aircraft.
Tuesday, March 2nd 2021 - 08:01 UTC
Ex president Sarkozy found guilty of corruption: end of political career?

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was found guilty of corruption on Monday (March 1) and handed a three-year prison sentence after a court in Paris convicted him for trying to illegally influence a judge during his time in office.
Tuesday, March 2nd 2021 - 08:00 UTC
Ex Pope Benedict admits “some of his fanatical friends are still upset” with his resignation

Former pope Benedict has chided conservative Roman Catholics who have not accepted his decision to resign as “fanatical”, telling them that there is only one pope and it is Francis.
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.