Health & Science

Monday, October 12th 2020 - 09:15 UTC
Argentina approves growing GM drought resistant wheat; needs OK from its principal market, Brazil

Argentina has become the first country to approve the growth and consumption of genetically modified wheat, the country's agriculture ministry announced. The ministry's scientific commission said in a statement released in Buenos Aires that it had approved a drought-resistant variety of wheat in the world's fourth-largest exporter of the crop.
Monday, October 12th 2020 - 09:08 UTC
Fauci complains Trump campaign makes him appear as endorsing the president

Top government scientist Anthony Fauci said on Sunday that an ad aired by Donald Trump's reelection campaign was edited to make him seem to endorse the president's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Monday, October 12th 2020 - 08:47 UTC
Boris Johnson to announce more restrictions Monday as the virus surges

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce new measures to tackle a growing coronavirus crisis on Monday, moving to work more closely with local leaders from England's worst affected areas.
Monday, October 12th 2020 - 08:41 UTC
Trump declares himself immune, which means “having really a protective glow”

President Donald Trump on Sunday declared himself immune to COVID-19 and ready for a fight as his White House race against surging rival Joe Biden enters its critical final weeks.
Saturday, October 10th 2020 - 09:15 UTC
Brazilian government cuts emergency cash transfers to help the poor withstand the pandemic

Many people in Brazil are struggling to cope with less pandemic aid from the government and jumping food prices, with millions expected to slip back into poverty. Brazil’s government, starting this month, halved the amount of its monthly emergency cash transfers to help Brazil’s poor withstand the hardship of the economic meltdown, down to 300 reais (US$54).
Saturday, October 10th 2020 - 08:31 UTC
Spanish government ignores Madrid authorities and declares a lockdown on the 3,8 million people city

Spain's government invoked a state of emergency on Friday to reimpose a partial lockdown for several million people in and around Madrid, one of Europe's worst COVID-19 hotspots after a court had struck down the measures.
Saturday, October 10th 2020 - 08:27 UTC
Trump/Biden October 15 debate cancelled: campaigns have announced alternate plans for that date

The Oct 15 presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden will not proceed, the Commission on Presidential Debates said in a statement on Friday, adding that both campaigns had announced “alternate plans for that date.”
Saturday, October 10th 2020 - 08:19 UTC
Covid-19 disrupting mental health services in most countries, WHO survey finds

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted or halted critical mental health services in 93% of countries worldwide while the demand for mental health is increasing, according to a new WHO survey. The survey of 130 countries provides the first global data showing the devastating impact of COVID-19 on access to mental health services and underscores the urgent need for increased funding.
Friday, October 9th 2020 - 09:51 UTC
Chilean scientists research possible mutation of coronavirus in Magallanes, a region closely linked to the Falklands

Scientists in Chile are investigating a possible mutation of the novel coronavirus in southern Patagonia, a far-flung region near the tip of the South American continent that has seen an unusually contagious second wave of infections in recent weeks.
Friday, October 9th 2020 - 09:45 UTC
EU seals Covid-19 vaccine deal with Johnson & Johnson, securing 1,1 billion doses for its 450 million population

The European Union has sealed a deal with Johnson & Johnson to supply up to 400 million doses of its potential COVID-19 vaccine, as the bloc builds up stocks amid a global scramble to secure shots.