International

Tuesday, March 2nd 2021 - 08:55 UTC
UK officials tracking one of six individuals affected with a Covid-19 Manaus variant

U.K. health officials are anxious to trace one of six individuals infected with a more contagious variant of the coronavirus, initially identified in Brazil. Up to six cases of the new strain — dubbed P.1 and considered a “variant of concern” by global health experts — have been detected in the U.K., with three cases in Scotland and three in England.
Tuesday, March 2nd 2021 - 08:53 UTC
WHO warns it is unrealistic to think the pandemic will be done by end of the year

The World Health Organization warned on Monday that it is unrealistic to think the world will be done with the Covid-19 pandemic by the end of the year. WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan said it might however be possible to take the tragedy out of the coronavirus crisis by reducing hospitalizations and deaths.
Tuesday, March 2nd 2021 - 08:20 UTC
Successful first flight test of pilotless fighter jet, a Boeing and Australian Air Force project

Boeing Co and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) said on Tuesday they had completed the first flight test on a pilotless fighter-like jet designed to operate in conjunction with crewed aircraft.
Tuesday, March 2nd 2021 - 08:01 UTC
Ex president Sarkozy found guilty of corruption: end of political career?

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was found guilty of corruption on Monday (March 1) and handed a three-year prison sentence after a court in Paris convicted him for trying to illegally influence a judge during his time in office.
Tuesday, March 2nd 2021 - 08:00 UTC
Ex Pope Benedict admits “some of his fanatical friends are still upset” with his resignation

Former pope Benedict has chided conservative Roman Catholics who have not accepted his decision to resign as “fanatical”, telling them that there is only one pope and it is Francis.
Monday, March 1st 2021 - 08:55 UTC
Coronavirus “Manaus” variant detected in UK: three in England, three in Scotland

A coronavirus “variant of concern” first detected in Brazil has now been found in the UK. Three cases have been detected in England and separately three in Scotland. In England, officials are still trying to track down one of those who tested positive for the new variant.
Monday, March 1st 2021 - 08:45 UTC
Heathrow to levy an extra £8.90 to departing passengers in an effort to cover pandemic costs

London's Heathrow airport will charge departing passengers an extra £8.90 in an effort to claw back costs as the coronavirus crisis depresses air travel. The tariff is permitted by the UK's aviation regulator under a protocol that allows the hub to cover costs for utilities, baggage and check-in services.
Monday, March 1st 2021 - 08:44 UTC
People in Europe and US more willing to be vaccinated against Covid-19, survey

The tide is changing and willingness to get a Covid-19 vaccine is on the rise compared to last year, according to a survey of six industrialized countries published on Monday. More people in the United Kingdom, the United States and even vaccine-skeptical France now accept the idea of getting a coronavirus jab, KekstCNC, an international consultancy, said in the survey conducted in February.
Monday, March 1st 2021 - 08:34 UTC
Facebook will pay US$ 650 million for illegally collecting biometric data to identify faces

A US federal judge has given final approval to Facebook's US$650 million payment to settle a privacy dispute between the California group and 1.6 million users in the US state of Illinois. The decision was issued on Friday.
Monday, March 1st 2021 - 08:34 UTC
AstraZeneca sells 7,7% interest in Moderna for a billion US dollars

AstraZeneca Plc has sold its 7.7% stake in Moderna Inc for more than a billion US dollars after the U.S. biotechnology company's shares soared on the back of its coronavirus vaccine breakthrough, The Times reported.