Politics

Tuesday, January 5th 2021 - 09:30 UTC
UK becomes first country to roll out the Oxford vaccine; but Johnson also orders new lockdown in England

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday ordered England into a new national lockdown to contain a surge in COVID-19 cases that threatens to overwhelm parts of the health system before a vaccine program reaches a critical mass.
Tuesday, January 5th 2021 - 09:17 UTC
China suspends imports from pork plant in southern Brazil

China has suspended imports from a Brazilian pork plant operated by privately-owned Aurora Alimentos over coronavirus concerns, according to a statement from meat trade group on Monday, in the latest suspension since the health crisis began.
Tuesday, January 5th 2021 - 09:10 UTC
UK/Brazil sign agreement to accelerate digital transformation in public services

An agreement has been signed between Brazil and the UK to accelerate digital transformation and innovation in public services delivery in the Latin American country.
Monday, January 4th 2021 - 05:00 UTC
Johnson, Scottish independence referendum a “once in a generation” vote; Sturgeon, “we'll be back soon”

Boris Johnson has reiterated his position that a Scottish independence referendum should be a “once-in-a-generation” vote. Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr program, the prime minister said the gap between referendums on Europe - the first in 1975 and the second in 2016 - was “a good sort of gap.”
Monday, January 4th 2021 - 04:39 UTC
Tuesday's Georgia Senate vote will decide the fate of Joe Biden's legislative agenda

Control of the U.S. Senate – and with it, the likely fate of President-elect Joe Biden's legislative agenda – will be on the ballot on Tuesday when voters in Georgia decide twin runoff elections.
Monday, January 4th 2021 - 04:34 UTC
Political prisoner dies in Venezuelan jail: fears for the lives of twelve others

Venezuelan member of the Pemon indigenous group accused of aiding a raid on a military post in late 2019 died on Sunday in a jail close to Caracas, rights group Penal Forum said in a tweet.
Monday, January 4th 2021 - 04:27 UTC
US Congress leaders homes vandalized over failed vote to increase relief checks

Vandals lashed out at the leaders of the U.S. House and Senate over the holiday weekend, blighting their homes with graffiti and in one case a pig’s head as Congress failed to approve an increase in the amount of money being sent to individuals to help cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
Friday, January 1st 2021 - 22:41 UTC
South Atlantic area of global contention? US Coast Guard off to South America to patrol for IUU fishing

The following piece by Gidget Fuentes in USNI News offers an account of the mission of USCGC (WMSL/758) Stone, fresh from Shipyard and Quarantine, and which departed Mississippi on 22 December for Southern Atlantic Patrol:
Friday, January 1st 2021 - 22:35 UTC
WHO Director General New Year message: COVID-19 one year later

As people around the world celebrated New Year's Eve 12 months ago, a new global threat emerged. Since that moment, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken so many lives and caused massive disruption to families, societies and economies all over the world.
Friday, January 1st 2021 - 21:59 UTC
Reflections about very busy times in Chile: “2020, a year like no other”

From the repatriation of British tourists stranded in Chile to the preparations for the UK’s exit from the EU, Ambassador Ian Duddy, speaks about this year's work.