Stories for February 2022

Tuesday, February 8th 2022 - 09:29 UTC
Commonwealth and WHO agree to work on universal health care and resilient health systems

The Commonwealth Secretariat and the World Health Organization (WHO) signed on Monday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) committing to strengthening their collaboration on a broad range of public health issues of particular concern to Commonwealth member states and governments, such as the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine equity, advancing universal health coverage, and building resilient health systems.
Tuesday, February 8th 2022 - 09:24 UTC
Brazil reports first two cases of Omicron subvariant

Brazil's Fiocruz Institute Monday announced the first two cases of the BA.2 sublineage of the SARS-Cov-2 Omicron variant had been detected in the country: one in the State of Rio de Janeiro and the other in the State of Santa Catarina.
Tuesday, February 8th 2022 - 09:15 UTC
First steam powered vessel to visit South Georgia, 140 years ago, depicted in commemorative coins

The government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands have launched new commemorative 50-pence coins marking the 140th anniversary of the first steam-powered vessel to visit the territory. Moltke is an important part of the heritage of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands and represents a key moment in the islands' history.
Tuesday, February 8th 2022 - 09:15 UTC
Why the Winter Olympics are so vital to the Chinese Communist Party’s legitimacy

By Yvan Bennett and John Garrick (*) – Aside from fake snow and COVID-19, the Beijing Winter Games are controversial for many reasons. They are a potent political symbol of the Chinese state’s ambitions and authority. Held just a year after the triumphalist 100-year anniversary of the Communist Party's founding, General Secretary Xi Jinping is using the Olympics to showcase to the world that China is powerful and on track to fulfill its Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.
Monday, February 7th 2022 - 20:26 UTC
A former president and a former finance minister reach Costa Rica's runoff

Former Costa Rican President José María Figueres of the National Liberation Party (center-right) Figueres won Sunday's first round of this year's elections but failed to secure a decisive majority, due to which he will need to take on former Finance Minister Rodrigo Chaves, of the Democratic Social Progress party (center) at the April 3 runoff.
Monday, February 7th 2022 - 20:14 UTC
Argentina's YPF to invest US $ 90 million in solar energy

Argentina's Cabinet Chief Juan Manzur Monday presided over the ceremony during which the State-run oil company YPF announced it will invest U$S 90 million to develop a solar energy park in Ullum, in the province of San Juan, where radiation suits best these type of undertakings.
Monday, February 7th 2022 - 20:08 UTC
Brazilians eligible to enter US through speedier process

Brazil's Foreign Ministry Monday announced citizens from that South American countries have become eligible to enter the United States through a speedier admissions program.
Monday, February 7th 2022 - 10:09 UTC
“China must respect Falklands' sovereignty”, foreign secretary Truss message to Beijing

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss defended the Falkland Islands as “part of the British family” after Beijing backed Argentina’s sovereignty claim over the South Atlantic islands.
Monday, February 7th 2022 - 09:55 UTC
Argentina's closeness to China, Russia worries London amid Ukraine crisis

London is noticing Argentine President Alberto Fernández's foreign policy, particularly Sunday's joint written statement whereby the South American country backed China's claim over Taiwan and, in return, the Government of Xi Jinping supported Argentina's sovereignty quest regarding the Falkland Islands.
Monday, February 7th 2022 - 09:20 UTC
Chile's FM resigns with new Spanish job in mind

The Chilean Government Sunday announced the resignation of Foreign Minister Andrés Allamand had been accepted and that Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Carolina Valdivia Torres would become acting minister effective immediately.