Politics

• 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 - 09:58 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.