Stories for 2021

Tuesday, January 5th 2021 - 09:30 UTC
UK becomes first country to roll out the Oxford vaccine; but Johnson also orders new lockdown in England

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday ordered England into a new national lockdown to contain a surge in COVID-19 cases that threatens to overwhelm parts of the health system before a vaccine program reaches a critical mass.
Tuesday, January 5th 2021 - 09:17 UTC
China suspends imports from pork plant in southern Brazil

China has suspended imports from a Brazilian pork plant operated by privately-owned Aurora Alimentos over coronavirus concerns, according to a statement from meat trade group on Monday, in the latest suspension since the health crisis began.
Tuesday, January 5th 2021 - 09:15 UTC
Qatar Airways and LATAM expand South America networks

Qatar Airways is pleased to announce it has increased São Paulo services to 10 weekly flights and expanded codeshare cooperation with LATAM Airlines Brasil optimizing connectivity for both airline’s passengers to and from destinations in Asia, the Middle East and South America. The new codeshare agreement will further strengthen the two airlines’ strategic partnership, first initiated in 2016 and recently expanded in June 2019.
Tuesday, January 5th 2021 - 09:13 UTC
Sao Paulo state confirms the first two cases of infections with the new strain

The government of Sao Paulo, the largest state in Brazil, confirmed on Monday two cases of people infected by the new strain of coronavirus, the same that has been putting parts of the UK in lockdown since the end of December.
Tuesday, January 5th 2021 - 09:10 UTC
UK/Brazil sign agreement to accelerate digital transformation in public services

An agreement has been signed between Brazil and the UK to accelerate digital transformation and innovation in public services delivery in the Latin American country.
Tuesday, January 5th 2021 - 09:07 UTC
Brazil posted a trade surplus of US$ 51 billion in 2020. Overall trade down 7,7%

Brazil posted a US$ 51 billion trade surplus last year, official figures showed on Monday, a 6% increase from the year before as the COVID-19 pandemic hit imports harder than exports.
Monday, January 4th 2021 - 05:36 UTC
Brazil health regulator approves import of 2 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine

Brazil's health regulator Anvisa said over the weekend it had approved the import of 2 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, although the jab is not yet approved for use in the country.
Monday, January 4th 2021 - 05:15 UTC
Argentina's grain inspectors' union expect to reach a salary agreement this Monday

Argentina's grain inspectors' union, Urgara, said on the last day of 2020 that its members will continue to strike over the weekend after failing to strike a wage deal despite two meetings with the Chamber of Private and Commercial Ports (CPPC).
Monday, January 4th 2021 - 05:03 UTC
China calls on meat processors to tighten sanitary measures before exporting

China’s meat importers and processors have asked exporters in countries with Covid-19 outbreaks to step up disinfection procedures before shipping them to the Asian country.
Monday, January 4th 2021 - 05:00 UTC
Johnson, Scottish independence referendum a “once in a generation” vote; Sturgeon, “we'll be back soon”

Boris Johnson has reiterated his position that a Scottish independence referendum should be a “once-in-a-generation” vote. Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr program, the prime minister said the gap between referendums on Europe - the first in 1975 and the second in 2016 - was “a good sort of gap.”