Politics

Tuesday, March 2nd 2021 - 09:58 UTC
Argentine president attacks opposition, Judiciary, media and economic powers

In a defiant speech before the Legislative that launched the campaign for the October midterm elections, Argentine president Alberto Fernandez on Monday opened the 139th Congressional period of ordinary sessions with a barrage of attacks on the opposition, Judiciary, media and the concentrated economic powers.
Tuesday, March 2nd 2021 - 09:54 UTC
Bolsonaro promises to sign on Tuesday a decree suspending a tax on diesel to prevent a truckers strike

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Tuesday he would suspend a tax on diesel fuel, to try and placate truckers, but the government would instead hike taxes on banks to offset lost revenue.
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.
Tuesday, March 2nd 2021 - 08:56 UTC
After all Americans have been vaccinated, US willing to discuss the issue with Mexico

Reuters – The Joe Biden administration downplayed the prospect of sharing coronavirus vaccines with Mexico, arguing it is focused on getting its own population protected against a pandemic that has killed more than 500,000 Americans.
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
Venezuela has 323 “political detainees” in jail, mostly awaiting trial

Venezuela’s Penal Forum estimates that Nearly three-quarters of all political detainees are awaiting trial for more than two years, the group said on Monday, arguing it is a sign that authorities use pretrial detention as a punishment.
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.
Monday, March 1st 2021 - 08:59 UTC
The Biden administration has no immediate plans to review sanctions on Venezuela and Cuba

The new administration of president Joe Biden is in “no rush” to lift U.S. sanctions on Venezuela but would consider easing them if President Nicolas Maduro takes confidence-building steps showing he is ready to negotiate seriously with the opposition, according to White House sources.
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.