International

Thursday, December 31st 2020 - 08:22 UTC
An emotional Merkel admits 2020 has been her most difficult of her 15-year leadership

Angela Merkel said in her last New Year's address to the nation as German chancellor that 2020 was by far the most difficult of her 15-year leadership, yet the start of vaccinations against COVID-19 made 2021 a year of hope.
Thursday, December 31st 2020 - 08:11 UTC
British parliament approves UK/EU deal; “Brexit is not the end but a beginning” says Johnson

British lawmakers approved Prime Minister Boris Johnson's post Brexit deal with the European Union on Wednesday, as both sides looked to begin a new chapter of relations just days before their divorce becomes a reality.
Thursday, December 31st 2020 - 08:07 UTC
Brussels and Beijing agreement to open the Chinese market to EU investors

The European Union and China on Wednesday announced the political approval of a long-sought agreement to open the Chinese market further to EU investors, marking an economic victory for both sides.
Thursday, December 31st 2020 - 08:01 UTC
Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan had most probably ten times more cases, China public health report

The scale of the Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan early this year may have been nearly 10 times the recorded tally, a study conducted by China's public health authorities indicates, leaving the city where the coronavirus first took hold still well short of the immunity required to protect against a potential resurgence.
Thursday, December 31st 2020 - 08:00 UTC
Australia's Antarctic Program MPV Everest scheduled to leave Hobart next 9 January

MPV Everest arrived in Hobart, Tasmania, on Wednesday to commence work for the Australian Antarctic Program, resupplying Australian stations and changing over personnel this summer.
Thursday, December 31st 2020 - 07:19 UTC
Labour supported Brexit accord, “a thin deal better than a chaotic no-deal rupture”, Keir Starmer

The House of Commons on Wednesday approved by an ample majority the EU/UK post Brexit deal, but this did not impede some lawmakers complain about being given only five hours in Parliament to scrutinize a deal that will mean profound changes for Britain’s economy and society.
Thursday, December 31st 2020 - 07:04 UTC
French truckers warn about red tape and “smart borders” as UK/EU deal customs becomes effective

Red tape, new “smart borders” that don't talk to one another and ill-prepared traders threaten border chaos, French truckers warned a day before Britain restores a hard frontier with Europe.
Wednesday, December 30th 2020 - 08:52 UTC
Sophisticated Roman baths uncovered in Amman during building of a major drainage system

The discovery of the ruins of old Roman baths during the construction of a major drainage system in the heart of Jordan's capital has posed a dilemma: how to preserve the country's ancient past while providing for its modern future?
Wednesday, December 30th 2020 - 08:24 UTC
WHO warns vaccines have yet to prove that they are effective at preventing Covid-19 transmission

Officials at the World Health Organization warned that the COVID-19 pandemic that has ravaged every corner of the world “is not necessarily the big one” — and that the novel coronavirus may never truly go away.
Wednesday, December 30th 2020 - 08:11 UTC
Coronavirus new variant “does not appear to cause more severe illness”, Public Health England

A new variant of the novel coronavirus does not appear to cause more severe illness than other variants, according to a matched study by Public Health England. Scientists say the new variant can spread more rapidity It was found in England in mid-December and led to other countries imposing travel restrictions to the United Kingdom. Several other countries have reported the variant.