International

Tuesday, January 12th 2021 - 08:56 UTC
Ford after a century in Brazil, closes its three factories with a loss of 5,000 jobs

Carmaker Ford said on Monday losses exacerbated by the coronavirus epidemic and fiscal uncertainties would see it close its three factories in Brazil, where it has operated for a century, terminating some 5,000 jobs.
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 - 09:55 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 - 09:40 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.
Monday, January 11th 2021 - 09:26 UTC
US joins the world battle to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA, has taken the initiative in the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing.
Monday, January 11th 2021 - 09:23 UTC
The site of Jesus baptism on the River Jordan free of mines, first time in over fifty years

A shrine near the traditional site of Jesus' baptism on the River Jordan hosted an Epiphany procession for the first time in more than 50 years on Sunday after it was declared free of landmines.
Monday, January 11th 2021 - 09:15 UTC
UN Secretary General planning a second term

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the five permanent members of the Security Council that he would like to stay on for a second term, it was reported on Sunday by Bloomberg. Guterres is likely to officially inform the president of the UN General Assembly soon, the report added.