International

• Friday, March 5th 2021 - 08:30 UTC

  Icelandair's 42 hours flight to Antarctica and home again

  

  In its presentation, Icelandair says it usually flies closer to the Arctic Circle, but on this occasion, the trip was 4 days and 42 flight hours from the top of the world to the bottom, and home again. On Friday, February 26, an Icelandair Boeing 767 (TF-ISN), landed at Troll airfield (QAT) at the Troll research station operated by the Norwegian Polar Institute in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica.

• Friday, March 5th 2021 - 08:00 UTC

  The Haves and Have-nots of the Digital Age

  

  By Gita Bhatt (*) – Accelerated by the pandemic, the digital future is coming at us faster than ever before, and maybe faster than we can imagine. In this issue, we explore the possible consequences —the good, the bad, and the gray.

• Thursday, March 4th 2021 - 08:47 UTC

  White House financial support for Merck and Johnson & Johnson to speed vaccine production

  

  White House senior adviser Andy Slavitt told reporters on Tuesday that the federal government is planning to spend US$100 million to help the joint partnership between Merck & Co and rival Johnson & Johnson accelerate vaccine production.

• Thursday, March 4th 2021 - 08:00 UTC

  France bans extreme right group which incited hatred, violence and attacks immigrants

  

  France agreed on Wednesday to ban the far-right group Generation Identity. Interior minister Gerald Darmanin said it took into account the group's “structure and military organization,” adding that GI can be regarded “as having the character of a private militia.”

• Wednesday, March 3rd 2021 - 08:56 UTC

  Merck & Co to the rescue of Johnson & Johnson single shot Covid-19 vaccine

  

  Merck & Co will help make rival Johnson & Johnson's single-shot Covid-19 vaccine in a partnership set to be announced on Tuesday by US President Joe Biden, a White House official said. J&J's vaccine production has been slower than promised.

• Wednesday, March 3rd 2021 - 08:38 UTC

  Louise De Sousa is the new British Ambassador to Chile

  

  Ambassador Mrs. Louise De Sousa will lead the British Embassy’s efforts further strengthening ties and co-operation between the United Kingdom and Chile. Ambassador De Sousa’s priorities will focus on UK and Chile co-operation responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and a clean, resilient global economic recovery; promoting meaningful action to tackle climate change in the lead-up to the COP26 climate conference; and further strengthening trade and prosperity between the UK and Chile. The ambassador’s work will also include defence and security co-operation, science and innovation, educational and cultural links, and gender equality, reflecting UK global priorities.

• Wednesday, March 3rd 2021 - 08:26 UTC

  World leaders congratulate Gorbachev on his 90th birthday; most Russians not convinced with his reforms

  

  Mikhail Gorbachev turned 90 on Tuesday, with several world leaders sending well-wishes to the former leader of the Soviet Union. The ex-leader of the Soviet Union and secretary-general of the Communist Party is considered by some as one of the greatest reformers of the 20th century — but remains a controversial figure at home.

• Wednesday, March 3rd 2021 - 08:18 UTC

  Scottish leaders' quarrel: Conservatives call for the resignation of First Minister Sturgeon

  

  Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, should resign, the main opposition party said on Tuesday amid a dispute involving her predecessor that threatens to damage the independence movement.

• Tuesday, March 2nd 2021 - 09:39 UTC

  Pablo Escobar's original four hippos in Colombia, could number 1,400 by 2034

  

  Hippopotamuses are increasing in Colombia despite being an alien species in South America. Their existence in the country began with the import of four individuals by drug lord Pablo Escobar. The four hippopotamuses later escaped into the wild.

• Tuesday, March 2nd 2021 - 09:31 UTC

  EU will formally propose a digital vaccination passport by end of March

  

  European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU executive would propose a digital vaccination passport later this month, she said on Monday. Members of the bloc will then decide whether to press ahead with the scheme to allow each other to recognize citizens' proof of vaccination.