International

• Wednesday, September 23rd 2020 - 06:29 UTC

  In a dramatic speech, PM Johnson calls for more action to combat second wave of Covid-19

  

  Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the British people on Tuesday to work from home where possible and ordered restaurants and bars to close early to tackle a fast-spreading second wave of COVID-19, with new restrictions lasting probably six months.

• Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 08:57 UTC

  EU conditions ratification of trade deal with Mercosur: France and Germany lead objections

  

  The European Union expects a clear commitment from Mercosur countries, particularly Brazil, that it will respect the sustainability issues included in the EU/Mercosur trade agreement, before any deal is ratified.

• Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 08:50 UTC

  US imposes more sanctions on Iran and Maduro, and demands Europe follows suit

  

  The United States said on Monday it was imposing sanctions on Iran's defense ministry and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro under a contested UN authority and demanded that Europe follow suit.

• Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 08:30 UTC

  Trump admits he was prepared to adjust the dollar exchange rate to combat China's Yuan

  

  U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday revealed he was rebuffed when he asked officials to adjust the exchange rate of the dollar to counteract what he described as repeated currency manipulation by China of its Yuan.

• Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 08:29 UTC

  Chinese embassies in Suriname and Guyana accuse Pompeo of smearing Beijing

  

  China's embassies to Suriname and Guyana accused US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of “spreading rumors” and “smearing” Beijing, after Washington's top diplomat criticized Chinese companies during a four-stop South America tour.

• Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 08:22 UTC

  A third of some 270 pilot whales stranded on Tasmania sandbar have died

  

  Rescuers were trying to refloat hundreds of whales stranded on a sandbar off the remote west coast of the Australian island of Tasmania on Tuesday, hoping to end one of the country’s worst beaching events.

• Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 08:19 UTC

  Madrid requests the Army's help to fight the surge of coronavirus in the capital

  

  Madrid's regional government chief requested the army's help on Monday in fighting the coronavirus surge in the Spanish capital where local authorities ordered a partial lockdown of some poorer districts, prompting protests.

• Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 08:16 UTC

  Cyanobacteria neurotoxins killed more than 300 elephants in Botswana

  

  Toxins in water produced by cyanobacteria killed more than 300 elephants in Botswana this year, officials said on Monday, announcing the result of an investigation into the deaths which had baffled and alarmed conservationists.

• Tuesday, September 22nd 2020 - 07:48 UTC

  Cruise giants team up and present a scientific report on control of the pandemic on ships; CDC decision this week

  

  A panel of leading scientists and medical experts convened by two of the world's biggest cruise companies -- Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings -- has concluded that the public health risk associated with the pandemic can be controlled on a ship.

• Monday, September 21st 2020 - 09:29 UTC

  UN marks 75th anniversary with video conferences, because of Covid-19

  

  The United Nations will mark its 75th anniversary on Monday, celebrating the mantra that “multilateralism is not an option but a necessity”, even as COVID-19 underscores the fragility of international cooperation.