Stories for 2021

Tuesday, January 12th 2021 - 08:16 UTC
Beijing announces WHO team will arrive on Thursday to investigate origin of Covid-19 pandemic

The World Health Organization (WHO) will send experts to China on Thursday and work with Chinese peers to investigate the origin of COVID-19, said China's National Health Commission (NHC).
Tuesday, January 12th 2021 - 08:05 UTC
Taipei releases new passport which prominently displays the word TAIWAN

Taiwan has released a new passport and lawmakers and officials were among the people who lined up early to apply for the redesigned document, which prominently displays the word “Taiwan,” while minimizing the English name “Republic of China” (ROC).
Monday, January 11th 2021 - 09:56 UTC
Biden honored to have vice-president Pence attend the inauguration ceremony

US Vice-President Mike Pence will attend the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris, breaking ranks with President Donald Trump, who said that he wouldn't attend.
Monday, January 11th 2021 - 09:55 UTC
Algae blooms in the South West Atlantic caught on satellite images

In austral spring and summer, conditions in the South Atlantic off Patagonia often become just right for phytoplankton, and populations of the plant-like organisms explode into enormous blooms.
Monday, January 11th 2021 - 09:54 UTC
Portugal wants quick ratification of EU/Mercosur deal, but there are many objections

Portugal which last week took the rotating presidency of the European Union for six months as of January 1st, said that it will try to conclude the bloc’s free trade agreement with Mercosur, agreed in 2019 after two decades of negotiations that have not yet been finalized.
Monday, January 11th 2021 - 09:50 UTC
Police/gang warfare leaves some 25 people killed in Venezuela

Some 25 people died over the weekend in a clash between police and gangs in Venezuela's capital Caracas, according to news reports and human rights activists, as the government faces international scrutiny for killings by security forces.
Monday, January 11th 2021 - 09:45 UTC
Rich Argentines fly to Miami to get the Covid vaccinations: Florida residents complain

Residents of foreign countries have obtained COVID vaccinations in Florida, taking advantage of the state’s loose rules on who can get a shot. The list includes a prominent Argentine lawyer, business leaders, and Canadians whose home countries restrict vaccines to first-responders, medical personnel, and a few other groups.
Monday, January 11th 2021 - 09:42 UTC
Argentina lifts ban on corn exports to a daily cap of 30.000 tons

Argentina has lifted a suspension on corn exports announced in December and will opt instead for a temporary 30,000 tons daily cap on sales abroad, its agriculture ministry said on Monday, backing off the more restrictive measure that had infuriated farmers in the South American grains powerhouse.
Monday, January 11th 2021 - 09:40 UTC
US assesses potential losses in agricultural exports to EU if the Mercosur deal is finally ratifies

Analysis by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS / USDA) point out that the country has US$ 4 billion in agricultural exports that may be affected to some extent by the trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur. The agreement has yet to be ratified by national parliaments.
Monday, January 11th 2021 - 09:40 UTC
Covid-19: Brazil reduces to zero import tariffs for syringes and needles

Brazil has reduced import taxes and tariffs to zero for products used to combat Covid-19, including syringes and needles classified under codes 9018.31.11, 9018.31.19, 9018.31.90, 9018.32.19, and 9018.39.10 of the Mercosur Common Nomenclature. The products are included in the list of temporary tariff reductions covered by Gecex (Executive Management Committee of the Chamber of Foreign Trade), Resolution 17, from 17 March 2020.