International

Thursday, December 17th 2020 - 09:16 UTC
Fears a fifth of world's population may not have access to Covid 19 vaccine until 2022, John Hopkins University

At least a fifth of the world's population may not have access to a COVID-19 vaccine until 2022, according to a study published on Wednesday, with wealthier nations reserving more than half of 2021's potential doses.
Thursday, December 17th 2020 - 09:05 UTC
Marshall Islands' record haul of drugs that drifted across the Pacific from Latin America

Police in the Marshall Islands have discovered a record haul of drugs thought to have drifted across the Pacific Ocean from Latin America. About 649kg of cocaine was found hidden inside a vessel that had run ashore.
Thursday, December 17th 2020 - 09:03 UTC
Merkel implores Germans to reduce social contacts during Xmas; lockdown until January 10

Chancellor Angela Merkel banged the podium in frustration as she implored Germans this month to reduce social contacts to curb the spread of COVID-19. At one point in her unusually passionate address to parliament, during which she was heckled, she brought her hands together as if in prayer. At others, she shook her fist.
Wednesday, December 16th 2020 - 09:29 UTC
Putin, Bolsonaro and Lopez Obrador finally congratulate Joe Biden

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Tuesday congratulated US president-elect Joe Biden on his victory, more than a month after the Nov 3 election.
Wednesday, December 16th 2020 - 09:08 UTC
Food companies and grocers urge commodity suppliers to refuse soybeans from deforested areas in Brazil

Some of the world’s largest food companies and grocers urged commodity suppliers including Archer-Daniels-Midland Co, Bunge Ltd, Cargill Inc and Louis Dreyfus Co. to stop trading soybeans associated with deforestation in Brazil’s Cerrado region, a savanna that is a hive of biodiversity and one of the country’s most important carbon sinks.
Wednesday, December 16th 2020 - 09:00 UTC
Moderna vaccine is safe and effective for preventing Covid-19, US regulators

Moderna's vaccine is safe and effective for preventing Covid-19, US regulators said, clearing the way for a second shot to quickly gain emergency authorization and add to the country's sprawling immunization effort.
Wednesday, December 16th 2020 - 08:51 UTC
Brazil's health regulator ANVISA considers Chinese Covid-19 vaccine process non transparent

Brazil’s health regulator Anvisa said China’s health authorities are not transparent in their authorization of COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use, a statement that may further inflame political tension in the country.
Wednesday, December 16th 2020 - 08:40 UTC
UK and Mexico sign trade deal: savings of £59 million worth of duties

The UK signed on Tuesday 15 December a trade deal with Mexico, locking in tariff-free trade and other benefits for British businesses and consumers. The UK-Mexico Trade Continuity Agreement will particularly benefit the automotive, pharmaceutical, textiles, agriculture, food and drink industries and other manufacturing industries, the sectors where the UK has the highest amount of trade with Mexico.
Wednesday, December 16th 2020 - 08:32 UTC
British scientists trying to determine if Covid-19 mutation is linked to other strains

British scientists are trying to establish whether the rapid spread in southern England of a new variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 is linked to key mutations they have detected in the strain, they said on Tuesday.
Wednesday, December 16th 2020 - 08:30 UTC
China pledges more trade and development cooperation with Chile on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations

China is willing to provide a broader market and more development opportunities for Chile and other countries as it seeks reform and opening-up at a higher level, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday in a phone conversation with his Chilean counterpart, Sebastian Piñera.