International

• Tuesday, May 19th 2020 - 08:02 UTC

  China slaps 80% tariff on Australian barley alleging subsidies and dumping

  

  Australia is “disappointed” China has imposed massive tariffs on its barley and will consider taking the dispute to the World Trade Organization, the country's agriculture minister said on Tuesday.

• Tuesday, May 19th 2020 - 07:58 UTC

  Brazilian agribusiness exports to China booming

  

  In the first four months of this year, Brazilian agribusiness exports totaled US$31.40 billion, marking a 5.9% increase year-on-year. The growth of agribusiness exports resulted in an increase in volumes 11.1%, while the index price suffered a drop of 4.7%.

• Monday, May 18th 2020 - 08:58 UTC

  The failed operation to oust Maduro by a Canadian mercenary ex Green Beret

  

  By Gwynne Dyer – It's hard being born Canadian if your ambition is to be a real-life version of movie tough guy Jean-Claude Van Damme (Blood Sport, Death Warrant, Universal Soldier, Last Action Hero). The same goes for being Belgian, of course, but Van Damme just wanted to be in the movies.

• Monday, May 18th 2020 - 07:22 UTC

  Critical World Health Organization assembly: US-China clash anticipated

  

  At the first meeting of the World Health Organization's (WHO) governing body since Covid-19 stormed the globe, China is set to be challenged on two of its most sensitive issues: The Communist Party's initial handling of the virus and the status of Taiwan's participation.

• Monday, May 18th 2020 - 06:52 UTC

  Virus makes UK super-rich US$ 65 billion poorer and alters Super Rich List 2020

  

  Britain's wealthiest people have lost tens of billions of pounds in the coronavirus pandemic as their combined annual wealth fell for the first time in a decade, the Sunday Times reported in its Rich List 2020.

• Monday, May 18th 2020 - 06:40 UTC

  New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern has brunch at a cafe but must comply with virus timing

  

  Hailed for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her partner were turned away from a cafe on Saturday because it was too full under the physical distancing guidelines.

• Saturday, May 16th 2020 - 07:57 UTC

  IMF calls on digital companies' responsible behavior as the “big winners from the pandemic”

  

  The technology companies that are reaping gains as a result of increased reliance on online systems during coronavirus quarantines and lockdowns should work to increase access to the digital economy for all, the head of the IMF said on Friday.

• Saturday, May 16th 2020 - 07:54 UTC

  Trump set to restore partial funding for WHO, to similar level of China's contribution

  

  US President Donald Trump's administration is set to restore partial funding to the World Health Organization (WHO), Fox News reported late on Friday, citing a draft letter.

• Saturday, May 16th 2020 - 07:49 UTC

  Britain-EU round of post Brexit talks end with scant progress

  

  Britain and the European Union urged each other on Friday to give ground in talks over a post-Brexit trade deal or risk failure in tetchy exchanges after the latest bout of bargaining ended with scant progress.

• Saturday, May 16th 2020 - 07:31 UTC

  Physicians call for funding WHO but also admit it is need of dire reform, free of political assaults

  

  A plea to all governments to continue providing the World Health Organization, WHO, with sufficient funds has come from physician leaders from across the world.